Flight Physiology

Question 1

Boyle’s Law

Answer 1

“Boyle’s Balloon” P1 x V1 = P2 x V2

Increased altitude = increased volume due to decreased pressure.

Question 2

Dalton’s Law

Answer 2

“Dalton’s Gang” - PT = P1 + P2 + P3…

Increased altitude = Decreased gas pressure without lowering percentage of gas. Causes hypoxia at altitude.

Question 3

Normal Torr at sea level

Answer 3

760

Question 4

Atmosphere gas composition

Answer 4

21% Oxygen
78% Nitrogen
1% Other

Question 5

Henry’s Law

Answer 5

“Henry’s Heineken” P=KHC
Gas in a solution varies directly with the partial pressure of that same gas over the solution. Causes VQ mismatch due to pressure difference.

Question 6

Charles Law

Answer 6

“Charging Charles” V1/V2 = T1/T2

Gas volume expands when heated and contracts when cooled. Pressure is constant!

Question 7

Each 100m in elevation causes a temperature drop of?

Answer 7

1*C

Question 8

Gay-Lussac’s Law

Answer 8

“Charles gay brother” P1/T2 = P2/T2

As temperature changes, pressure changes. Volume stays the same! Oxygen bottle in the sun.

Question 9

Graham’s Law

Answer 9

“Graham’s grape jelly”

Gases with smaller mass diffuse faster than larger mass gasses.

Question 10

Barotitis Media

Answer 10

Descent problem.

Air trapped in middle ear

Question 11

Barodontalgia

Answer 11

Ascent problem.

Air trapped under recent dental work.

Question 12

Treatment of Barodontalgia

Answer 12

Slower ascent, consider analgesics

Question 13

Barosinusitis

Answer 13

Ascent problem.

Descend, slower climb, neosynephrine, analgesics

Question 14

Barobariatrauma

Answer 14

Nitrogen from fatty tissue is released into plasma causing nitrogen narcosis.

Question 15

Treatment of Barobariatrauma

Answer 15

Pre-oxygenate obese patient’s with 100% oxygen causing nitrogen washout.

Question 16

Stressors of flight (8)

Answer 16

Decreased partial pressure of oxygen
Barometric pressure changes
Thermal changes
Decreased humidity
Noise 
Vibration
Fatigue
G-forces

Question 17

Factors effecting stressors of flight

Answer 17

D- Drugs
E- Exhaustion
A- Alcohol
T- Tobacco
H- Hypoglycemia

Question 18

MSL

Answer 18

Mean sea level

Question 19

AGL

Answer 19

Above ground level

Question 20

ATM

Answer 20

Atmosphere

Question 21

Torr

Answer 21

Measurement of pressure in mmHg

Question 22

PSI

Answer 22

Measurement of pressure in pounds

Question 23

At sea level, 1 ATM weights?

Answer 23

14.7 lbs or 760 torr

Question 24

0.5 ATM or 380 torr is at what altitude?

Answer 24

18,000

Question 25

1 ATM every ___ while diving.

Answer 25

33 feet

Question 26

Calculate partial pressure of oxygen on a normal day at sea level.

Answer 26

.21% x 760 torr = 159.6 torr

Question 27

Physiologic zone

Answer 27

Sea level to 10,000

Question 28

Physiological zone

Answer 28

10,000 to 50,000

Question 29

Space-Equivalent zone

Answer 29

50,000 to 200,000

Question 30

Hypoxic Hypoxia

Answer 30

Deficiency in alveolar O2 exchange. (Altitude hypoxia)

Question 31

Stagnant Hypoxia

Answer 31

Reduced cardiac output or pooling of blood (Heart failure, shock)

Question 32

Histotoxic Hypoxia

Answer 32

Inability to use present O2 in tissues due to poisioning. (Cyanide)

Question 33

Hypemic Hypoxia

Answer 33

Reduction in O2 carrying capacity of blood. (Trauma with hemorrhage, Anemia, CO)

Question 34

Indifferent stage of hypoxia

Answer 34

Increased HR and RR. Decreased night vision.

Question 35

Night vision decreases at what altitude?

Answer 35

5000

Question 36

Compensatory stage of hypoxia

Answer 36

Increased BP, impairment of task performance

Question 37

Disturbance stage of hypoxia

Answer 37

Dizzy, sleepy, tunnel vision, cyanosis

Question 38

Critical stage of hypoxia

Answer 38

Marked confusion and incapacitation

Question 39

Pa02 decreased by ___ for every ___ increase in altitude

Answer 39

5 mmHg | 1000 FT

Question 40

Oxygen adjustment calculator

Answer 40

(Fio2 x P1) / P2 = Fio2 at altitude

Question 41

Effective performance time

Answer 41

Amount of time a crew member is able to perform useful flying duties in an inadequately oxygenated environment

Question 42

Time of useful consciousness

Answer 42

Elapsed time from exposure to oxygen deprived environment to the point when function is lost

Question 43

Explosive decompression

Answer 43

1/2 of TUC compared to controlled decompression

Question 44

S/S of Type I Decompression Sickness

Answer 44

Painful joints Mottled skin Itching

Question 45

S/S of Type II Decompression Sickness

Answer 45

Neurological S/S | Hypovolemic shock

Question 46

Signs of compression loss at altitude

Answer 46

Cooler cabin temperatures | Windows fogging

Question 47

TUC at 30,000 ft MSL

Answer 47

90 seconds | 45 seconds with rapid decompression

Question 48

Every ___ increase in elevation causes temperatures to drop ___.

Answer 48

1000 ft | 2*C