Decompression Sickness

Question 1

What is absorbed into the blood and tissue when divers are at depth?

Answer 1

Nitrogen

Helium

Question 2

What action causes the nitrogen and helium bubbles to be released into the tissue and lead to decompression sickness?

Answer 2

Diver ascending too fast

Question 3

Type 1 decompression sickness (DCS) involves the __________, __________, __________, and __________.

Answer 3

1) Skin
2) Lymphatic System (Tonsils, Thymus, Spleen, Lymph Nodes, and Lymph Vessels)
3) Muscles
4) Joints

Question 4

Which of the following would not be affected by Type 1 Decompression Sickness?

A) Muscles

B) Knee Joint

C) Inner ear

D) Tonsils

Answer 4

C) Inner ear

Remember that the tonsils are part of the lymphatic system, and the inner ear is affected by DCS 2

Question 5

Which decompression sickness is life threatening?

Answer 5

Type 2 Decompression Sickness

Question 6

What are common locations of joint pain seen in Type 1 Decompression Sickness ?

How is the pain usually characterized?

Answer 6

1) Outside of the Thorax
2) Knees
3) Ankle
4) Elbow
5) Wrist

Dull achy pain that is unable to be pinpointed

Question 7

What are common Skin Symptoms of Type 1 Decompression Sickness?

Answer 7

1) Itching / Pruritus

2) Cutis Marmorata

Question 8

What symptom of Type 1 Decompression sickness is characterized by a marbled bright red, purplish or even bluish pattern on the skin?

Answer 8

Cutis Marmorata

Question 9

When a patient is suspected of having Type 1 Decompression Sickness, how do you rule out Arterial Gas Embolism (AGE) and Type 2 Decompression Sickness?

Answer 9

Full Neurological Exam

Question 10

What is the treatment for a patient with Type 1 Decompression Sickness?

Answer 10

1) FULL Neuro
2) 100% Surface Oxygen via Non-rebreather
3) Transport to Re-compression Chamber

Question 11

What special instructions should be given if a patient with Decompression Sickness requires MEDEVAC via helicopter?

Answer 11

Maintain an altitude less than 1000ft

Question 12

Type 2 Decompression Sickness symptoms are divided into what three categories?

Answer 12

1) Neurological
2) Inner Ear
3) Cardio Pulmonary

Question 13

What are the symptoms of Neurological Decompression Sickness?

Answer 13

1) Numbness
2) Paresthesia’s
3) Muscle weakness
4) Mental status changes
5) Impaired urinary function

Question 14

What are the symptoms of Inner Ear Decompression Sickness?

Answer 14

1) Tinnitus
2) Hearing Loss
3) Vertigo
4) Dizziness
5) Nausea
6) Vomiting

Question 15

Which of the following is not a symptom of Neurological Decompression Sickness?

A) Numbness
B) Impaired Urinary Function
C) Dizziness
D) Mental Status Change

Answer 15

C) Dizziness

Its Inner Ear

Question 16

What are the symptoms of Cardio Pulmonary Decompression Sickness?

Answer 16

1) Chest pain
2) Painful inspiration
3) Irritating Cough
4) Tachypnea
5) Lung congestion
6) Complete circulatory collapse

Question 17

What is the treatment for Type 2 Decompression Sickness?

Answer 17

1) Full Neuro Exam
2) 100% Surface Oxygen via Non-Rebreather
3) Transport to Re-Compression Chamber

Question 18

What is the treatment for Arterial Gas Embolism?

Answer 18

1) Full Neuro Exam
2) 100% Surface Oxygen via Non-Rebreather
3) Transport to Re-Compression Chamber

Question 19

Pain of the muscles and joints, Marbling of the skin, and Swelling of the lymph nodes are symptoms of ____________.

Answer 19

Type 1 Decompression Sickness

PMS = Pain, Marbling, Swelling

Question 20

What can be utilized to confirm the diagnosis of Type 1 Decompression Sickness / Rule out AGE and Type 2?

Answer 20

Neurological Exam

Question 21

When a patient suspected of having Decompression Sickness presents with extremity numbness, muscle pain and joint pain, what physical exam would you want to do along with the neurological exam?

Answer 21

MSK

Question 22

Dad Jokes:

Why can’t you send a duck to space?

Answer 22

Because the bill would be astronomical