Aeromedical Factors exam Questions and
answers
1. What is hypoxia?
(AIM 8-1-2) - ✅✅Hypoxia is a state of oxygen deficiency in the body sufficient to impair functions of
the brain and other organs.
2. Where does hypoxia usually occur, and what symptoms should one expect?
(AIM 8-1-2) - ✅✅Although deterioration in night vision occurs at a cabin pressure altitude as low as
5,000 feet, other significant effects of altitude hypoxia usually do not occur in the normal healthy pilot
below 12,000 feet.
From 12,000 feet to 15,000 feet of altitude, judgment, memory, alertness, coordination, and ability to
make calculations are impaired, and headache, drowsiness, dizziness and either a sense of well-being or
belligerence occur.
Effects are worse above 15,000 feet.
3. What factors can make a pilot more susceptible to hypoxia?
(AIM 8-1-2) - ✅✅The altitude at which significant effects of hypoxia can occur can be lowered by a
number of factors.
Carbon monoxide inhaled in smoking or from exhaust fumes, lowered hemoglobin (anemia), and certain
medications can reduce the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.
Small amounts of alcohol and low doses of certain drugs, such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, sedatives,
and analgesics can, through their depressant action, render the brain much more susceptible to hypoxia.
, Extreme heat and cold, fever,and anxiety increase the body's demand for oxygen, and hence its
susceptibility to hypoxia.
4. How can hypoxia be avoided
(AIM 8-1-2) - ✅✅Hypoxia is prevented by heeding factors that reduce tolerance to altitude, by
enriching the inspired air with oxygen from an appropriate oxygen system, and by maintaining a
comfortable, safe cabin pressure altitude.
For optimum protection, pilots are encouraged to use supplemental oxygen above 10,000 feet during
the day, and above 5,000 feet at night.
5. What is hyperventilation?
(AIM 8-1-3) - ✅✅Hyperventilation, or an abnormal increase in the volume of air breathed in and out
of the lungs, can occur subconsciously when a stressful situation is encountered in flight.
This results in a significant decrease in the carbon dioxide content of the blood.
Carbon dioxide is needed to automatically regulated the breathing process.
6. What symptoms can a pilot expect from hyperventilation?
(AIM 8-1-3) - ✅✅As hyperventilation "blows off" excessive carbon dioxide from the body, a pilot can
experience symptoms of light-headedness, suffocation, drowsiness, tingling in the extremities, and
coolness, and react to them with even greater hyperventilation.
Incapacitation can eventually result from uncoordination, disorientation, and painful muscle spasms.
Finally, unconsciousness can occur.
answers
1. What is hypoxia?
(AIM 8-1-2) - ✅✅Hypoxia is a state of oxygen deficiency in the body sufficient to impair functions of
the brain and other organs.
2. Where does hypoxia usually occur, and what symptoms should one expect?
(AIM 8-1-2) - ✅✅Although deterioration in night vision occurs at a cabin pressure altitude as low as
5,000 feet, other significant effects of altitude hypoxia usually do not occur in the normal healthy pilot
below 12,000 feet.
From 12,000 feet to 15,000 feet of altitude, judgment, memory, alertness, coordination, and ability to
make calculations are impaired, and headache, drowsiness, dizziness and either a sense of well-being or
belligerence occur.
Effects are worse above 15,000 feet.
3. What factors can make a pilot more susceptible to hypoxia?
(AIM 8-1-2) - ✅✅The altitude at which significant effects of hypoxia can occur can be lowered by a
number of factors.
Carbon monoxide inhaled in smoking or from exhaust fumes, lowered hemoglobin (anemia), and certain
medications can reduce the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.
Small amounts of alcohol and low doses of certain drugs, such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, sedatives,
and analgesics can, through their depressant action, render the brain much more susceptible to hypoxia.
, Extreme heat and cold, fever,and anxiety increase the body's demand for oxygen, and hence its
susceptibility to hypoxia.
4. How can hypoxia be avoided
(AIM 8-1-2) - ✅✅Hypoxia is prevented by heeding factors that reduce tolerance to altitude, by
enriching the inspired air with oxygen from an appropriate oxygen system, and by maintaining a
comfortable, safe cabin pressure altitude.
For optimum protection, pilots are encouraged to use supplemental oxygen above 10,000 feet during
the day, and above 5,000 feet at night.
5. What is hyperventilation?
(AIM 8-1-3) - ✅✅Hyperventilation, or an abnormal increase in the volume of air breathed in and out
of the lungs, can occur subconsciously when a stressful situation is encountered in flight.
This results in a significant decrease in the carbon dioxide content of the blood.
Carbon dioxide is needed to automatically regulated the breathing process.
6. What symptoms can a pilot expect from hyperventilation?
(AIM 8-1-3) - ✅✅As hyperventilation "blows off" excessive carbon dioxide from the body, a pilot can
experience symptoms of light-headedness, suffocation, drowsiness, tingling in the extremities, and
coolness, and react to them with even greater hyperventilation.
Incapacitation can eventually result from uncoordination, disorientation, and painful muscle spasms.
Finally, unconsciousness can occur.
