Lesson 4

Question 1

What is the Death Zone?

Answer 1

Beyond 8,000 meters above sea level, the amount of oxygen is generally considered insufficient for humans to acclimatize and survive.

Question 2

What is Acetazolamide?

Answer 2

o Only one drug, called acetazolamide, has been proven effective at preventing and treating AMS.
o It works by speeding up your breathing rate, so it can be especially helpful while sleeping. Remember, when you increase your breathing rate, you increase the amount of air available for oxygen exchange.

Question 3

What is Edema?

Answer 3

• Edema is a condition in which excess fluid accumulates in body tissues.

Question 4

What is HACE?

Answer 4

• High Altitude Cerebral Edema

Question 5

What is HAPE?

Answer 5

• High Altitude Pulmonary Edema

Question 6

4 Adaptations ofpeople whose ancestors have permanently lived at high altitudes include:

Answer 6

1. ) Increased Lung Volume
2. ) More oxygen carried on each red blood cell
3. ) Increased blood vessel diameter
4. ) Faster and Deeper breathing

Question 7

Chronic Mountain Sickness (CMS)

Answer 7

• CMS is believed to be caused by increased production of red blood cells, which makes the blood viscus and sticky. As a result, the heart has to work harder to pump blood through the body.
- Only affects people who have lived at high altitudes for many years.

Question 8

Bloodletting

Answer 8

A process where blood is withdrawn from the patient to maintain balance is still performed as an acute treatment to temporarily decrease the number of red blood cells.