Certified Hyperbaric Technologist Practice Test

What are the two main mechanisms involved in treatment within a hyperbaric oxygen chamber?

1. Increasing temperature and increasing oxygen percent

2. Increasing pressure and increasing oxygen percent

3. Decreasing pressure and decreasing oxygen percent

4. Increasing temperature and decreasing pressure

The correct answer is: Increasing pressure and increasing oxygen percent

The two main mechanisms involved in treatment within a hyperbaric oxygen chamber are increasing pressure and increasing oxygen percent. This combination is crucial for enhancing the delivery of oxygen to tissues, especially those that are injured or compromised, in a way that cannot be achieved through normal atmospheric conditions. Increasing pressure in the hyperbaric chamber allows more oxygen to dissolve in the plasma, significantly increasing its availability to tissues. The heightened pressure enhances the body's ability to transport oxygen under conditions where blood flow may be impaired, such as in cases of trauma or infection. Simultaneously, increasing the concentration of oxygen within the chamber offers an additional therapeutic effect. The higher percentage of oxygen can lead to further benefits including the stimulation of angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels) and reducing the size of hypoxic areas in tissues. This dual approach of increased pressure and enhanced oxygen concentration is foundational to effectively treating a variety of medical conditions, such as carbon monoxide poisoning, decompression sickness, and chronic non-healing wounds, all of which can benefit from improved oxygen delivery facilitated by the hyperbaric environment.