Certified Hyperbaric Technologist Practice Test

What device is most commonly used to prevent air or fluid from traveling back up the tube into the pleural cavity in a hyperbaric chamber?

1. Hemlich valve

2. Chest tube

3. Waterseal suction

4. Inline filter

The correct answer is: Hemlich valve

The Hemlich valve is specifically designed to prevent air or fluid from moving back into the pleural cavity, thereby ensuring that any pleural drainage occurs effectively without the risk of re-entry. This unidirectional valve allows air or fluid to escape from the pleural space, which is crucial in hyperbaric settings where maintaining pressure balance is essential for patient safety and therapeutic effectiveness. In this context, as patients undergo hyperbaric therapy, it is vital to manage any potential complications related to the pleural space, such as pneumothorax or fluid accumulation. The Hemlich valve functions optimally in these scenarios, providing a controlled way to manage these pressures without allowing air or fluid to re-enter. While chest tubes are also used in clinical settings to drain fluids or air from the pleural space, they do not have the same function as a one-way valve in preventing backflow. Waterseal suction is another method for managing pleural drainage but may not be as straightforward in preventing backflow as the Hemlich valve. An inline filter serves a different purpose, primarily pertaining to filtering and purifying fluids and does not address the prevention of backflow effectively in this specific context.