Certified Hyperbaric Technologist Practice Test

What is the recommended action if a patient reports difficulty breathing post dive?

1. Ignore the symptoms

2. Administer high-flow oxygen

3. Change the patient's position

4. Begin CPR

The correct answer is: Administer high-flow oxygen

Administering high-flow oxygen is the recommended action if a patient reports difficulty breathing post dive due to its critical role in treating potential complications related to decompression sickness or air embolism. When a diver experiences respiratory distress, it may indicate that nitrogen has not been adequately eliminated from the body or that there is an obstruction in the pulmonary circulation. High-flow oxygen increases the amount of oxygen available to tissue, helps eliminate nitrogen, and assists in reducing symptoms related to these dive-related conditions. Providing high-flow oxygen can also mitigate the risk of hypoxia and support normal respiratory function while preparing for further evaluation or treatment. This treatment is considered a standard procedure in hyperbaric medicine for managing post-dive complications. While monitoring the patient and ensuring their comfort is important, merely changing the patient’s position or ignoring the symptoms does not address the potential underlying conditions that require immediate attention. CPR would only be warranted if the patient became unresponsive and showed no signs of breathing or a heartbeat. Therefore, administering high-flow oxygen is pivotal in managing difficulties in breathing after a dive, as it targets immediate respiratory issues effectively.