Altitude & Aquatics

Question 1

At high altitudes, the atmospheric pressure is ___ and the partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) is ___.

Answer 1

Low ; Low

Question 2

What values increase with acute reaction to high altitudes?

Answer 2

HR, CO, BP and Ventilation

Question 3

What values decrease with acute reaction to high altitudes?

Answer 3

Exercise performance
Stroke Volume
Arterial PaCO2

Question 4

What are the signs and symptoms of altitude sickness?

Answer 4

Headache
N/V
Peripheral Edema
Dizziness
Lethargy
Dyspnea
Epitaxis - nosebleed
Insomnia

Question 5

Should patients with dyspnea submerge above the xiphoid process during aquatic therapy?

Answer 5

NO due to the increase in hydrostatic pressure causing an increase in respiratory rate

Question 6

MS patients should avoid getting into aquatic therapy pools that are above what temperature?

Answer 6

84 degrees F

Question 7

Immersion in cold water will decrease what vitals? And why?

Answer 7

HR and cardiac output

due to peripheral vasoconstriction

Question 8

Immersion in cold water will increase what vital sign? and why?

Answer 8

Increase BP

Due to vasoconstriction of the vessels, the heart has to pump harder to open blood vessels to receive blood

Question 9

Immersion in warm or hot water, what will happen to the BP?

Answer 9

BP will decrease due to vasodilation