Which statement is included in decompression sickness management?

Which statement is included in decompression sickness management?

• A. High-flow oxygen administration
• B. Oral glucose administration
• C. Immediate defibrillation for all cases
• D. No treatment is necessary

Answer: (A)

High-flow oxygen administration is a cornerstone of decompression sickness management because it accelerates the elimination of inert gas (nitrogen) from the tissues and at the same time improves oxygen delivery to hypoxic areas. When someone ascends too quickly, dissolved nitrogen can form bubbles in tissues and blood; providing 100% oxygen creates a strong diffusion gradient that helps wash out those bubbles and reduces ischemia, often relieving symptoms and preventing progression. In practice, this means giving the patient a high-concentration oxygen source promptly and maintaining adequate oxygenation while arranging definitive care, such as hyperbaric recompression when available. Oral glucose isn’t a standard treatment for decompression sickness and would only be relevant if there were a specific hypoglycemia concern. Immediate defibrillation is reserved for life-threatening cardiac rhythm abnormalities, not all cases of decompression sickness. And saying no treatment is necessary is incorrect because decompression sickness requires prompt management to prevent worsening symptoms and potential complications.

High-flow oxygen administration is a cornerstone of decompression sickness management because it accelerates the elimination of inert gas (nitrogen) from the tissues and at the same time improves oxygen delivery to hypoxic areas. When someone ascends too quickly, dissolved nitrogen can form bubbles in tissues and blood; providing 100% oxygen creates a strong diffusion gradient that helps wash out those bubbles and reduces ischemia, often relieving symptoms and preventing progression. In practice, this means giving the patient a high-concentration oxygen source promptly and maintaining adequate oxygenation while arranging definitive care, such as hyperbaric recompression when available.

Oral glucose isn’t a standard treatment for decompression sickness and would only be relevant if there were a specific hypoglycemia concern. Immediate defibrillation is reserved for life-threatening cardiac rhythm abnormalities, not all cases of decompression sickness. And saying no treatment is necessary is incorrect because decompression sickness requires prompt management to prevent worsening symptoms and potential complications.