WBR0397
| Author | PageAuthor::Vendhan Ramanujam |
|---|---|
| Exam Type | ExamType::USMLE Step 2 CK |
| Main Category | MainCategory::Internal medicine |
| Sub Category | SubCategory::Miscellaneous |
| Prompt | [[Prompt::A deep-sea water diver is brought to the ER with complaints of lightheadedness, dizziness, ataxia, and nausea. He was on a diving expedition to explore sunken ships. He started experiencing these symptoms after reaching 110 ft of depth. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?]] |
| Answer A | AnswerA::Nitrogen narcosis |
| Answer A Explanation | [[AnswerAExp::Correct-Nitrogen narcosis is due to increased partial pressure of nitrogen in the nervous system; symptoms are analogous to those of alcohol intoxication like lightheadedness, dizziness, ataxia, and nausea. It is a manifestation of compression sickness occurring during descent.]] |
| Answer B | AnswerB::Barotrauma |
| Answer B Explanation | [[AnswerBExp::Incorrect-Barotrauma is due to the mechanical effects of expansion and contraction of gases when pressure differences exist between the body cavities and the environment. It is a manifestation of compression sickness occurring during descent.]] |
| Answer C | AnswerC::Vertigo |
| Answer C Explanation | [[AnswerCExp::Incorrect-Vertigo (barotrauma) is due to the mechanical effects of expansion and contraction of gases when pressure differences exist between the body cavities and the environment. It is also a manifestation of compression sickness occurring during descent.]] |
| Answer D | AnswerD::Barosinusitis |
| Answer D Explanation | [[AnswerDExp::Incorrect-Barosinusitis (barotrauma) is due to the mechanical effects of expansion and contraction of gases when pressure differences exist between the body cavities and the environment. It is also a manifestation of compression sickness occurring during descent.]] |
| Answer E | AnswerE::Bends |
| Answer E Explanation | [[AnswerEExp::Incorrect-Bends (so called because the person can be stooped due to severe joint pain) are a form of decompression sickness (also called caisson disease) due to inadequate elimination of dissolved gas after a dive affecting the skin and joints. Decompression sickness can occur either after a too-rapid ascent from a dive below 9 m or a sudden pressure loss at altitudes above 7000 ft.]] |
| Right Answer | RightAnswer::A |
| Explanation | [[Explanation::Nitrogen narcosis is due to increased partial pressure of nitrogen in the nervous system; symptoms are analogous to those of alcohol intoxication like lightheadedness, dizziness, ataxia, and nausea. It is a manifestation of compression sickness occurring during descent.
Educational Objective:
Manifestations of compression sickness are nitrogen narcosis, vertigo, barosinusitis, middle ear or barotitis media that occur during the descent of a drive. Decompression sickness (also called caisson disease) occurs during the ascent of a dive. |
| Approved | Approved::Yes |
| Keyword | |
| Linked Question | Linked:: |
| Order in Linked Questions | LinkedOrder:: |