Transport Physiology

Question 1

What is the measurement of barometric pressure at sea level?

Answer 1

760 mmHg

Question 2

List the layers of the atmosphere in order from the Earth’s surface to outer space:

Mesosphere, Troposphere, Thermosphere, Stratosphere

Answer 2

a) Troposphere
b) Stratosphere
c) Mesosphere
d) Thermosphere

Question 3

What gases are of concern in aviation medicine?

Answer 3

Oxygen and Nitrogen

Question 4

This gas law states, “Gas molecules will move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.”

Answer 4

Universal gas law

Question 5

This gas law states, “The amount of gas is determined by its pressure, volume and temperature.”

Answer 5

Ideal gas law

Question 6

Barotitis media is an example of the manifestation of which of the following gas laws?

Answer 6

Boyle’s gas law

Question 7

This gas law states, “The total pressure of a gas mixture is the sum of the individual partial pressures of all the gases in the mixture.”

Answer 7

Dalton’s gas law

Question 8

Barometric pressure decreases with altitude and atmosphere molecules move farther away from one another. This is an example of which gas law?

Answer 8

Boyle’s gas law

Question 9

Decompression sickness (i.e. “the bends”) is an example of which gas law?

Answer 9

Henry’s gas law

Question 10

For every increase of 1000 feet in altitude, temperature will:

Answer 10

Decrease by 2° C

Question 11

If the volume of a gas is fixed, as pressure increases, temperature increases (i.e. pressure is proportional to temperature). This describes what gas law?

Answer 11

Gay-Lussac’s Law

Question 12

Night vision is lost at what altitude?

Answer 12

5000 feet

Question 13

Inadequate tissue oxygenation secondary to reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of blood is the definition of what form of hypoxia?

Answer 13

Hypemic (anemic) hypoxia

Question 14

Drinking alcohol can inhibit the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. This is an example of which form of hypoxia?

Answer 14

Histoxic hypoxia

Question 15

Your heart failure patient is becoming hypoxic at altitude. This is most likely due to what form of hypoxia?

Answer 15

Stagnant hypoxia

Question 16

What is the formula for oxygen-adjustment calculation needed for transporting oxygen-dependent patients at altitude?

Answer 16

[%FiO2 x (beginning barometric pressure)] ÷ (maximum barometric pressure) = %FiO2 needed at altitude

Question 17

The time from exposure to an oxygen-deficient environment to the point at which a useful level of consciousness is lost, is the definition of:

Answer 17

Time of useful consciousness (TUC)

Question 18

A pressurized aircraft cabin simulates what altitude?

Answer 18

5000 - 8000 feet

Question 19

T/F: Most patients are loaded along the long axis of the aircraft.

Answer 19

True

Question 20

List each of the self-imposed stressors that make up the acronym “DEATH”

Answer 20

Drugs
Exhaustion
Alcohol
Tobacco
Hypoglycemia

Question 21

If temperature is constant, a volume of gas expands as pressure decreases (i.e. the volume of gas is inversely proportional to its pressure). This describes what gas law?

Answer 21

Boyle’s Law

Question 22

If pressure is constant, a volume of gas increases as temperature increases (i.e. the volume of gas is directly proportional to its temperature). This describes what gas law?

Answer 22

Charles’ Law

Question 23

Boyle’s Law states that as altitude increases, pressure _________, and volume __________.

Answer 23

decreases, increases

Question 24

Charles’ Law states that as altitude increases, temperature ________, and volume ________.

Answer 24

decreases, decreases

Question 25

This gas law states, “The amount of gas in a solution is proportional to the partial pressure of a gas in contact with the liquid”.

Answer 25

Henry’s Law

Question 26

With temperature and pressure held constant, the lighter the gas the faster it will diffuse (i.e. the relative rate of diffusion of a gas is inversely proportional to the square root of the density of those gases). This describes what gas law?

Answer 26

Graham’s Law