Certified Hyperbaric Technologist Practice Test

An increase in TcpO2 values near a wound after hyperbaric treatments indicates what?

1. No change in healing potential

2. Increased risk of infection

3. Improvement in healing potential

4. Need for further treatments

The correct answer is: Improvement in healing potential

An increase in TcpO2 values near a wound after hyperbaric treatments indicates an improvement in healing potential. TcpO2, or transcutaneous partial pressure of oxygen, measures the amount of oxygen available at the tissue level. In wound healing, adequate oxygen supply is critical for several processes, including collagen synthesis, angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels), and the proliferation of fibroblasts and epithelial cells. When TcpO2 values rise following hyperbaric oxygen therapy, it reflects enhanced oxygen delivery to the tissues, which can facilitate these essential healing processes. This increase suggests that the local environment is becoming more conducive to healing, indicating that the treatment is effective in supporting the wound recovery. While other factors, such as infection risks or the need for additional treatments, may also be assessed in the context of wound care, the direct relationship between elevated TcpO2 and improved healing capacity makes it clear that higher values correlate positively with the potential for healing.