High Altitude Physiology 324

Question 1

What are the problems with flying at high altitude?

Answer 1

♣ Low atmospheric pressure
♣ Low partial pressure of oxygen
♣ Cold

Question 2

What are the names of the four gas laws?

Answer 2

Boyle’s

Dalton’s

Henry’s

Graham’s

Question 3

What is the basic concentration of the atmosphere?

Answer 3

78% Nitrogen

21%
Oxygen

1% Aerosols

Question 4

What is hypoxia in a nuthshell?

Answer 4

Lack of the body to process, or lack of sufficient oxygen.

Question 5

What is lack of sufficient oxygen in the brain caused by?

Answer 5

• Inadequate supply of oxygen
• Inability of blood to transport oxygen
• Inability of body tissues to use oxygen

Question 6

Two Main Categories of Hypoxic Characteristics?

Answer 6

• Intellectual Impairment

* Physical Debilitation

Question 7

Name some symptoms of intellectual impairment due to hypoxia.

Answer 7

o	Judgment
o	Memory
o	Alertness
o	Coordination
o	Ability to do calculations

Question 8

Name some symptoms of Physical Debilitation due to hypoxia

Answer 8

o	Headache
o	Drowsiness
o	Dizziness
o	Fatigue
o	Visual Degradation
o	Euphoria 
o	Belligerence
o	Cyanosis

Question 9

Types of Hypoxia: (4)

Answer 9

Hypoxic
Hypemic
Histotoxic
Stagnant

Question 10

Define in fewest words what hypoxic hypoxia is.

Answer 10

Insufficient oxygen or insufficient pressure cause body not to be able to obtain oxygen.

Question 11

Define in fewest words hypemic hypoxia and why that may be.

Answer 11

o Blood can not carry the oxygen:

    - not enough blood 
    - carbon monoxide poisoning - smoking

Question 12

Define in fewest words Histotoxic Hypoxia.

Answer 12

Tissues can not use the oxygen provided.

Question 13

Define in fewest words Stagnant Hypoxia

Answer 13

Blood isn’t getting into the brain.

Question 14

Factors that can influence Hypoxia. (7)

Answer 14

• Altitude
• Rate of Ascent
• Exposure Duration
• Individual Tolerance
• Physical Condition
• Psychological State
• Drug Usage

Question 15

Hypoxia Prevention:

When should you use supplemental oxygen Day and Night?

Answer 15

Day - 10,000 and above
Night 5,000 and above

Be alert for symptoms.

Question 16

FAR 91.211

Required for all flight crew past 30 minutes

All required flight crew at all times

Must be available for each crew member and passenger

Part 135
Between ______ and _______ oxygen must be shared with only ______% of the occupants.

Above _______ all occupants must have oxygen.

Answer 16

Required after 30 minutes from 12,500 to 14,000.

All required crew above 14,000

Above 15,000 feet must be available to each passenger.

Part 135
Between 10,000 and 15,000 oxygen must be shared with only 10% of the occupants.

Question 17

Treatment for Hypoxia:

Answer 17

o Select 100% oxygen

o Return to normal rate and depth of breathing

o Check connections

o Descend below 10,000
feet

Question 18

What are pressure problems called ?

Answer 18

Dysbarism

Decompression Sickness

DCS

Question 19

What are the two types of gases that can cause Pressure Problems?

Answer 19

Trapped Gas

Evolved Gas

Question 20

Trapped Gases are

Answer 20

Gases found in the body.

Question 21

Evolved gases are

Answer 21

Gases that come out of a solution

Question 22

Corrective action for Pressure Problems.

Answer 22

♣ 100% oxygen

♣ Emergency Descent to lower altitude

♣ Land at nearest suitable airport

♣ Seek qualified medical assistance

Question 23

Where do evolved gases come out of specifically.

Answer 23

Joints
Skin
CNS
Lungs

Question 24

Evolved gases come out due to what two laws?

Answer 24

Henry’s Law and Boyle’s law.