Aeromedical exam Questions and answers
Hypoxia
Definition - ✅✅Hypoxia results when the body lacks oxygen.
Types of Hypoxia - ✅✅1. Hypoxic
2. Hypemic
3. Histotoxic
4. Stagnant
Hypoxic Hypoxia - ✅✅Definition:
When there is not enough oxygen in the air / When decreasing atmospheric pressure prevents diffusion
of oxygen from the lungs into the bloodstream.
Causes:
High Altitudes - due to lack of PO2 in the atmosphere (most common cause of hypoxia encountered by
aviators)
Hypemic Hypoxia - ✅✅Definition:
A reduction in blood's oxygen carrying capacity
Causes:
Anemia, Blood Loss, Carbon Monoxide (Cigarettes), NItrates, Sulfa Drugs
Stagnant Hypoxia - ✅✅Definition:
Inadequate circulation of blood
Causes:
Extreme G Forces, Heart Failure, Arterial Spasm, Blood Vessel Occlusion
, Histotoxic Hypoxia - ✅✅Definition:
An interference with the use of oxygen by body tissues
Causes:
Alcohol, Narcotics, Poisons such as Cyanide
Signs of Hypoxia
(Objective) - ✅✅1. Hyperventilation
2. Cyanosis
3. Mental Confusion
4. Poor Judgment
5. Lack of Muscle Coordination
Factors of Hypoxia - ✅✅1. Tobacco (Carbon Monoxide, 200-300x greater affinity to bond with blood
versus oxygen, up to 20% decrease in night vision at 4,000', 2-3 cigs/20-30 cigs results in 5,000'
physiological altitude)
2. Alcohol (Histotoxic, 1 oz. = 2,000' physiological altitude)
3. Physical Fitness/Condition
4. Diet
Prevention of Hypoxic Hypoxia - ✅✅1. Limit time at altitude
2. Use supplemental oxygen
3. Pressurize the cabin
Treatment of Hypoxic Hypoxia - ✅✅1. 100% Oxygen
2. Descent to below 10,000' Altitude
Stages of Hypoxic Hypoxia - ✅✅1. Indifferent: 0-10,000' (90-98% O2)
Hypoxia
Definition - ✅✅Hypoxia results when the body lacks oxygen.
Types of Hypoxia - ✅✅1. Hypoxic
2. Hypemic
3. Histotoxic
4. Stagnant
Hypoxic Hypoxia - ✅✅Definition:
When there is not enough oxygen in the air / When decreasing atmospheric pressure prevents diffusion
of oxygen from the lungs into the bloodstream.
Causes:
High Altitudes - due to lack of PO2 in the atmosphere (most common cause of hypoxia encountered by
aviators)
Hypemic Hypoxia - ✅✅Definition:
A reduction in blood's oxygen carrying capacity
Causes:
Anemia, Blood Loss, Carbon Monoxide (Cigarettes), NItrates, Sulfa Drugs
Stagnant Hypoxia - ✅✅Definition:
Inadequate circulation of blood
Causes:
Extreme G Forces, Heart Failure, Arterial Spasm, Blood Vessel Occlusion
, Histotoxic Hypoxia - ✅✅Definition:
An interference with the use of oxygen by body tissues
Causes:
Alcohol, Narcotics, Poisons such as Cyanide
Signs of Hypoxia
(Objective) - ✅✅1. Hyperventilation
2. Cyanosis
3. Mental Confusion
4. Poor Judgment
5. Lack of Muscle Coordination
Factors of Hypoxia - ✅✅1. Tobacco (Carbon Monoxide, 200-300x greater affinity to bond with blood
versus oxygen, up to 20% decrease in night vision at 4,000', 2-3 cigs/20-30 cigs results in 5,000'
physiological altitude)
2. Alcohol (Histotoxic, 1 oz. = 2,000' physiological altitude)
3. Physical Fitness/Condition
4. Diet
Prevention of Hypoxic Hypoxia - ✅✅1. Limit time at altitude
2. Use supplemental oxygen
3. Pressurize the cabin
Treatment of Hypoxic Hypoxia - ✅✅1. 100% Oxygen
2. Descent to below 10,000' Altitude
Stages of Hypoxic Hypoxia - ✅✅1. Indifferent: 0-10,000' (90-98% O2)
