Certified Hyperbaric Technologist Practice Test

What is a potential source of abdominal pain during ascent in hyperbaric conditions?

1. Gas expansion

2. Dehydration

3. Food blockage

4. Foreign body ingestion

The correct answer is: Gas expansion

Abdominal pain during ascent in hyperbaric conditions can often be attributed to gas expansion. As a diver ascends, the pressure surrounding them decreases, and any gas that is dissolved in body fluids or present within the gastrointestinal tract can expand. This expansion can lead to discomfort, cramping, or pain in the abdominal region as the gas attempts to increase volume according to Boyle's Law, which states that volume increases as pressure decreases when temperature is constant. Therefore, if there is an accumulation of gas in the intestines or any other hollow organs, the rapid ascent and the resultant drop in pressure can lead to significant pain. Dehydration, while it can cause discomfort and various symptoms, is generally not a direct source of abdominal pain specifically linked to ascent. Food blockage or foreign body ingestion would typically present symptoms prior to the ascent and aren't primarily associated with the differential pressure changes that occur during a dive or ascent. Thus, gas expansion stands as the most closely related cause of abdominal pain in the context of changes in pressure experienced during ascent in hyperbaric conditions.