Aeromedical - Altitude Physiology exam
Questions and answers
What are the physical divisions of the atmosphere? - ✅✅Troposphere - Extends to an Alt. of 30,000
ft. at the poles and 60,000 ft. at the equator
Tropopause - boundary between troposphere and stratosphere
Stratosphere - tropopause to about 50 miles upward. Ionosphere - end of stratosphere upward to 600
miles
Exosphere - end of ionosphere to about 1200 miles (true space)
What are the physiological zones of the atmosphere - ✅✅Efficient zone
Deficient zone
Space equivalent zone
Efficient zone - ✅✅sea level to 10,000 ft
Deficient zones - ✅✅10,000 ft to 50,000 ft
Space equivalent zone - ✅✅above 50,000 ft
What are the functions of the circulatory system? - ✅✅Transports O2 and nutrients to cells
throughout the body
Transports metabolic waste products to organ removal sites
Assists in temperature regulation
Acid-base balance
What carries O2 to cells - ✅✅red blood cells
What are the functions of respiration? - ✅✅Provide O2 to cells, Remove carbon dioxide from cells
, Assist in maintaining body temperature, Assist in maintaining body acid-base balance
Inhalation - ✅✅The active phase of respiration. Movement of air into the lungs when the chest wall
expands and the diaphragm moves downward.
Exhalation - ✅✅The passive phase of respiration. Movement of air out of the lungs when the chest
wall collapses and the diaphragm relaxes.
What happens to respiration during pressure breathing at altitude - ✅✅The active and passive phases
of respiration are reversed. In some indivduals, this can lead to hyperventilation and unconsciousness
Hypoxia - ✅✅Oxygen deficiency sufficent to impair performance
What are the four types of Hypoxia - ✅✅Hypemic
Stagnant
Histotoxic
Hypoxic
Hypemic Hypoxia - ✅✅Reduction in O2 carrying capability of red blood cells; e.g. carbon monoxide
Stagnant Hypoxia - ✅✅Reduction in blood flow; e.g. positive G maneuvers
Histotoxic Hypoxia - ✅✅Interference with the use of O2 by the body tissues; e.g. cyanide poisoning
Hypoxic Hypoxia - ✅✅Insufficient pressure of O2 in the air; e.g. flying at altitude
Symptoms - ✅✅What you feel
Signs - ✅✅What you see in others
Questions and answers
What are the physical divisions of the atmosphere? - ✅✅Troposphere - Extends to an Alt. of 30,000
ft. at the poles and 60,000 ft. at the equator
Tropopause - boundary between troposphere and stratosphere
Stratosphere - tropopause to about 50 miles upward. Ionosphere - end of stratosphere upward to 600
miles
Exosphere - end of ionosphere to about 1200 miles (true space)
What are the physiological zones of the atmosphere - ✅✅Efficient zone
Deficient zone
Space equivalent zone
Efficient zone - ✅✅sea level to 10,000 ft
Deficient zones - ✅✅10,000 ft to 50,000 ft
Space equivalent zone - ✅✅above 50,000 ft
What are the functions of the circulatory system? - ✅✅Transports O2 and nutrients to cells
throughout the body
Transports metabolic waste products to organ removal sites
Assists in temperature regulation
Acid-base balance
What carries O2 to cells - ✅✅red blood cells
What are the functions of respiration? - ✅✅Provide O2 to cells, Remove carbon dioxide from cells
, Assist in maintaining body temperature, Assist in maintaining body acid-base balance
Inhalation - ✅✅The active phase of respiration. Movement of air into the lungs when the chest wall
expands and the diaphragm moves downward.
Exhalation - ✅✅The passive phase of respiration. Movement of air out of the lungs when the chest
wall collapses and the diaphragm relaxes.
What happens to respiration during pressure breathing at altitude - ✅✅The active and passive phases
of respiration are reversed. In some indivduals, this can lead to hyperventilation and unconsciousness
Hypoxia - ✅✅Oxygen deficiency sufficent to impair performance
What are the four types of Hypoxia - ✅✅Hypemic
Stagnant
Histotoxic
Hypoxic
Hypemic Hypoxia - ✅✅Reduction in O2 carrying capability of red blood cells; e.g. carbon monoxide
Stagnant Hypoxia - ✅✅Reduction in blood flow; e.g. positive G maneuvers
Histotoxic Hypoxia - ✅✅Interference with the use of O2 by the body tissues; e.g. cyanide poisoning
Hypoxic Hypoxia - ✅✅Insufficient pressure of O2 in the air; e.g. flying at altitude
Symptoms - ✅✅What you feel
Signs - ✅✅What you see in others
