Hyperbaric Chamber Emergency Procedures Flashcards
7 cards from real CHT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Hyperbaric Chamber Emergency Procedures flashcards as text
What is the correct response when a hyperbaric chamber's depth gauge malfunctions during treatment and the actual pressure is unknown?
Answer: Halt compression or decompression and troubleshoot before proceeding
If the depth gauge malfunctions and pressure is unknown, halting pressure changes and troubleshooting prevents unintentional over- or under-pressurization.
During a hyperbaric treatment, the patient signals the emergency abort button. The operator should:
Answer: Acknowledge the signal immediately and begin emergency decompression per protocol
An activated emergency abort signal must be acknowledged and emergency decompression initiated immediately; the patient's self-report overrides operator judgment.
Which symptom following hyperbaric treatment is MOST consistent with pulmonary oxygen toxicity?
Answer: Substernal chest burning and dry cough
Substernal chest burning and dry cough (the Lorrain Smith effect) are classic early signs of pulmonary oxygen toxicity.
A post-treatment patient develops neurological symptoms including confusion and visual disturbances within 10 minutes of leaving the chamber. What condition should be suspected?
Answer: Arterial gas embolism (AGE)
Rapid-onset neurological symptoms after hyperbaric treatment suggest arterial gas embolism, which requires immediate recompression therapy.
What is the purpose of conducting regular emergency drills in a hyperbaric facility?
Answer: To ensure all personnel can execute emergency procedures correctly under stress
Regular emergency drills ensure that all facility personnel can perform emergency procedures correctly and efficiently when a real emergency occurs.
Which of the following best describes the 'treatment on air' emergency option when a patient seizes during oxygen therapy in a monoplace chamber?
Answer: Switching the patient's breathing gas from 100% O2 to air via the mask supply
Switching the patient's mask supply from 100% O2 to air lowers the inspired oxygen partial pressure and terminates the CNS oxygen toxicity trigger.
According to NFPA 99 standards, what minimum oxygen concentration in the chamber atmosphere is considered an oxygen-enriched environment and requires fire precautions?
Answer: More than 23.5% oxygen by volume
NFPA 99 defines an oxygen-enriched atmosphere as one exceeding 23.5% oxygen by volume, at which point standard fire precautions are required.