ATM 2-12. Aeromedical factors

Question 1

Parallax effect

Answer 1

occurs in a MPNVS due to the relative distance between the FLIR sensor and the HDU.
Attempts to correlate the thermal scene viewed through the HDU with the actual scene viewed using the unaided eye can result in an apparent difference in the location of objects within the scene.

Question 2

Spatial Disorientation

Answer 2

SD is a pilot’s erroneous perception of position, attitude, or motion in relation to the gravitational vertical and the Earth’s surface.

Question 3

TYPE I (UNRECOGNIZED)

Answer 3

Aviator does not perceive any indication of SD or necessarily think anything is wrong

Unaware of a problem, the pilot fails to recognize and counteract the SD, a mistake that often results in a fatal aircraft mishap.

Type I SD is the most dangerous type of disorientation.

Question 4

TYPE II (RECOGNIZED)

Answer 4

In type II SD, the pilot perceives a problem resulting from SD (but might not initially recognize it as SD).
The pilot might feel the controls are malfunctioning or wrongly perceive an instrument failure

Question 5

TYPE III (INCAPACITATING)

Answer 5

In type III SD, the pilot experiences such an overwhelming sensation of movement (or tilt) that he or she cannot physically orient using visual cues or the aircraft instruments

Question 6

VISUAL SYSTEM

Answer 6

Of the three sensory systems, the visual system is the most important in maintaining the ability to orient and move in three-dimensional space.
80%

Question 7

VESTIBULAR SYSTEM

Answer 7

The vestibular system can provide a relatively accurate perception of orientation and movement in space with the proviso that sensation occurs within the parameters of a force environment that indicates the true vertical
15%

Question 8

Somatosensory SYSTEM (proprioception)

Answer 8

The somatosensory system reacts to tactile and kinesthetic sensations resulting from forces or pressure on sensors in the skin, joints, tendons, or muscles, and from slight changes in the position of internal organs.
5%

Question 9

STRESS DEFINED

Answer 9

Stress can be defined as a nonspecific response of the body to any demand

Question 10

PSYCHOSOCIAL STRESSORS

Answer 10

Psychosocial stressors are life events (things that happen externally to us that can impact us internally).

Job, family issues, environment, altitude, speed, temp, aircraft design, and flight conditions

Question 11

PHYSIOLOGICAL (SELF-IMPOSED) STRESSORS

Answer 11

significant control over self-imposed stress

Drugs
Exhaustion
Alcohol
Tobacco
Hypoglycemia

Question 12

FATIGUE

Answer 12

Fatigue is the state of feeling tired, weary, or sleepy that results from prolonged mental or physical work, extended periods of anxiety, exposure to harsh environments, or loss of sleep. Boring or monotonous tasks can increase fatigue.

Question 13

ACUTE FATIGUE

Answer 13

Acute fatigue is associated with physical or mental activity between two regular sleep periods. Loss of coordination and lack of error awareness are the first signs of fatigue to develop

after one regular sleep period, crewmembers will overcome this fatigue

Question 14

CHRONIC FATIGUE

Answer 14

This type of fatigue is much more serious than acute fatigue, occurs over a longer period, and is typically the result of inadequate recovery from successive periods of acute fatigue

might take several weeks of rest to eliminate chronic fatigue.

Question 15

MOTIVATIONAL EXHAUSTION (BURNOUT)

Answer 15

If chronic fatigue remains untreated for too long, the individual will eventually “shut down” and cease functioning occupationally and socially. Motivational exhaustion is also known as burnout.

Question 16

EFFECTS OF FATIGUE ON PERFORMANCE

Answer 16

REACTION-TIME CHANGES
REDUCED ATTENTION
DIMINISHED MEMORY
CHANGES IN MOOD AND SOCIAL INTERACTION
IMPAIRED COMMUNICATION

Question 17

Exogenous Factors: Anesthesia (general)

Answer 17

restricted from flying duty for 48 hours after general, spinal, or epidural anesthesia or conscious sedation

Question 18

Exogenous Factors: Regional/local anesthesia

Answer 18

for a minimum of 12 hours after local or regional anesthesia, to include dental.

Question 19

Exogenous Factors: Alcohol

Answer 19

Aircrew will not perform aviation duties for a minimum of 12 hours after the last drink consumed and until no residual effects remain.

Question 20

Exogenous Factors: Immunizations

Answer 20

Medical restriction from flying duty will be for a minimum period of 12 hours following any immunization

Question 21

Exogenous Factors: Chemical warfare agent simulants

Answer 21

Aircrew will not perform aviation duties for a minimum of 12 hours and no residual systemic effects

Question 22

Exogenous Factors: Blood Donations

Answer 22

No more than two times per year) blood or plasma donors. Following blood donation (200 cubic centimeters or more), aircrew members will be restricted from flying duty for a period of 72 hours

Question 23

Exogenous Factors: plasma donation

Answer 23

restricted from flying duty for a period of 24 hours

Question 24

Exogenous Factors: decompression sickness,

Answer 24

barotrauma, or adverse reaction resulting from a decompression event requires restriction from flying duties until cleared by an aeromedical provider

Question 25

Exogenous Factors: SCUBA

Answer 25

**24 hours** following self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA)

Question 26

Exogenous Factors: simulator sickness

Answer 26

will be restricted from actual flight for **12 hours after full resolution of symptoms**

Question 27

Exogenous Factors: Tobacco

Answer 27

Discouraged from using tobacco products

Question 28

Exogenous Factors: Strenuous physical activities

Answer 28

Strenuous training events, sporting activities, or work **may adversely affect the ability** of aircrew members

Question 29

Exogenous Factors: Centrifuge runs.

Answer 29

restricted from all flying duties for a minimum of **6 hours after centrifuge runs and until no residual effects remain**

Question 30

Hypoxia

Answer 30

defined as the state of O2 deficiency in the blood cells and tissues. significant enough to cause impairment of function

Question 31

HYPOXIC HYPOXIA

Answer 31

not enough O2 in the air or when decreasing atmospheric pressure prevents diffusion of O2 from the lungs to the bloodstream. Example: altitude

Question 32

HYPEMIC HYPOXIA

Answer 32

caused by a reduction in blood's O2-carrying capacity. Example: Anemia and blood loss are the most common causes of this type of hypoxia

Question 33

STAGNANT HYPOXIA

Answer 33

With stagnant hypoxia, blood's O2-carrying capacity is adequate but circulation is inadequate Example: extreme gravitational forces and blood flow is disrupted, causing blood to stagnate.

Question 34

HISTOTOXIC HYPOXIA

Answer 34

Histotoxic hypoxia results from an interference with the use of O2 by body tissues. Example: Alcohol, narcotics, or a poison such as cyanide (blue) is inhaled (or can be ingested) and is delivered to the tissues by the blood where it poisons the tissues, keeping them from using the available O2

Question 35

EAR DISORDERS

Answer 35

barometric pressure decreases during ascent, expanding air in the middle ear is intermittently released through the Eustachian tube (a slender tube between the middle ear and pharynx) into the nasal passages.

Question 36

Equalize ear pressure

Answer 36

equalize pressure during descent by swallowing, yawning, or tensing the throat muscles.

Question 37

Valsalva maneuver

Answer 37

To do this, close the mouth, pinch the nose shut, tilt your head upwards, and blow firmly. This maneuver forces air through the previously closed Eustachian tube into the middle ear cavity and equalizes pressure

Question 38

3 types of fatigue

Answer 38

Acute Chronic Motivational

Question 39

How does fatigue affect performance

Answer 39

Reaction time, reduces attention, diminished memory, changes in mood, impaired communication

Question 40

How to treat fatigue

Answer 40

Rest and natural sleep

Question 41

4 types of stressors

Answer 41

PEPC Psychosocial Environmental Physiological Cognitive

Question 42

Alcohol in regards to hypoxia

Answer 42

Can cause histotoxic hypoxia 1 ounce =2000 pa

Question 43

What causes middle ear discomfort?

Answer 43

Pressure of external ear is greater than the pressure in the middle ear causing the eardrum to be forced inward

Question 44

What are the 4 stages of hypoxia?

Answer 44

ICDC Indifferent (0-10,000'), Compensatory (10-15,000'), Disturbance (15-20,000'), Critical (20-25,000')

Question 45

Day Blind Spot

Answer 45

Each eye compensates for the day blind spot in the optic disk of the opposite eye. The day blind spot covers an area of 5.5 to 7.5 degrees and is located about 15 degrees from the fovea

Question 46

NIGHT BLIND SPOT

Answer 46

The night blind spot occurs when the fovea becomes inactive in low light conditions 5 to 10 degrees wide in the center of the visual field Object fade away when stared at longer than 2 seconds

Question 47

5 published stress responses

Answer 47

Emotional Behavioral Cognitive Stress underload

Question 48

4 ways to manage stress

Answer 48

Avoid stressor Change thinking Learn to relax Ventilate stress

Question 49

Environmental stressors

Answer 49

Altitude Speed Temp Aircraft design Airframe characteristics Instrument flight conditions

Question 50

Characteristics of drugs

Answer 50

SOAPS C Self medicated Overdose Allergic reaction Predictable side effects Caffeine

Question 51

Hyperventilation

Answer 51

An excessive rate and depth of respiration that leads to abnormal loss of CO2 from the blood. Typically happens below 10,000 ft

Question 52

Prohibited from flying for 6 hours

Answer 52

Centrifuge

Question 53

Prohibited from flying for 12 hours

Answer 53

Alcohol Sim sickness Immunizations Local Anesthesia

Question 54

Prohibited from flying for 24 hours

Answer 54

Plasma donation Hyppbaric chamber Decompression Scuba

Question 55

Prohibited from flying for 48 hours

Answer 55

General anesthesia

Question 56

Prohibited from flying for 72 hours

Answer 56

Blood donation >200cc Crew can not be a regular donor No more than 2 times per year

Question 57

Supplemental Oxygen

Answer 57

above 10,000 feet pressure altitude for more than 1 hour. above 12,000 feet pressure altitude for more than 30 minutes above 14,000 feet pressure altitude for any period of time. For flights above 18,000 feet pressure altitude, oxygen prebreathing will be accomplished by aircrew members.