Deck 14: Mountain Medicine

Question 1

Anything below 8,000 feet is considered ____ altitude.

A) low
B) high
C) moderate
D) extreme

Answer 1

low

Question 2

Altered mental status is a sign of HACE.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

As breathing becomes faster and deeper, CO₂ levels in the blood rise.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

____ law states that the pressure of a mixed gas is equal to the sum of the pressures of the individual gasses it contains.

A) Dalton's
B) Henry's
C) Ohm's
D) Boyle's

Question 5

Acetazolamide works by stimulating respirations and enhancing excretion of bicarbonate in the kidneys.

Question 6

Altitudes above ____ are considered the "death zone."

A) 6,247 feet
B) 16,247 feet
C) 20,247 feet
D) 26,247 feet

Question 7

As pO₂falls at altitudes above 9,000 to 10,000 feet, chemoreceptors create a hypoxic stimulus, decreasing ventilation.

Question 8

High altitude cerebral edema is most often preceded by high altitude pulmonary edema.

Question 9

HAPE often occurs on the second night of a climb.

Question 10

A headache at 10,000 feet is considered "normal."

Question 11

Acute mountain sickness symptoms will typically resolve with rest, fluids, and general over-the-counter analgesia.

Question 12

Over time and with controlled ascent, the human body can compensate somewhat for the reduction in available oxygen molecules through a process commonly known as ____.

A) thermogenesis
B) metabolism
C) acclimatization
D) hypoperfusion

Question 13

There is no treatment for high altitude retinal hemorrhage.

Question 14

When arriving at altitude, some people develop a transient illness called ____, which begins six to 24 hours after arrival and may be a result of cerebral edema.

A) high altitude retinal hemorrhage
B) snow blindness
C) acute mountain sickness
D) polycythemia

Question 15

Any elevation above 18,000 feet is considered ____ altitude.

A) low
B) high
C) moderate
D) extreme

Question 16

People with increased diuresis at altitude are less likely to develop acute mountain sickness.

Question 17

____ altitude starts at 12,000 feet and extends to 18,000 feet.

A) Low
B) High
C) Moderate
D) Extreme

Question 18

A(n) ____ altitude is considered to be any elevation between 8,000 and 12,000 feet.

A) low
B) high
C) moderate
D) extreme

Question 19

____, or increased red blood cell production, begins after a few days to weeks at altitude.

A) Thermolysis
B) Polycythemia
C) Anhydrosis
D) Diuresis

Question 20

The ____ curve describes the relationship between available oxygen and oxygen carried by hemoglobin.

A) Cheyne-Stokes
B) bell association
C) Boyle
D) oxyhemoglobin dissociation

Question 21

The initial symptom of HACE is often ____.

A) nausea
B) headache
C) fatigue
D) shortness of breath

Question 22

About ____ of people with AMS will also have HAPE.

A) 10%
B) 25%
C) 50%
D) 75%

Question 23

____ is almost universally common in people who travel above 6,000 feet (2,000 meters) and is a key indicator of acute mountain sickness.

A) Vomiting
B) Headache
C) Nausea
D) Hyperventilation

Question 24

According to Dr. Peter Hackett, one of the world's foremost researchers in high altitude physiology and pathophysiology, the best treatment for HACE is ____.

A) hyperbaric chamber treatment
B) descent
C) rest
D) hydration

Question 25

____ is a life-threatening condition caused by increased intracranial pressure (ICP) due to reduced pO₂ at altitude and the resulting leakage of fluid that compresses brain tissue.

A) Acute mountain sickness
B) High altitude pulmonary edema
C) High altitude cerebral edema
D) Acute mountain cerebral sickness

Question 26

To prevent and treat ____, the patient needs to "rebreath" his own humidity.

A) pulmonary edema
B) retinal hemorrhage
C) cerebral edema
D) Khumbu cough

Question 27

A dry, persistent, and sometimes debilitating cough, called the ____ cough, can be the precursor to HAPE.

A) Cheyne
B) Rothberg
C) Cushing
D) Khumbu

Question 28

During treatment for HAPE, descent should be a minimum of ____ lower than where symptoms first occurred.

A) 1,000 to 2,000 feet
B) 2,000 to 3,000 feet
C) 3,000 to 4,000 feet
D) 4,000 to 5,000 feet

Question 29

HACE can be differentiated from acute mountain sickness by a simple "____ test," in which the affected individual is instructed to walk heel-toe for several steps, and then asked to turn around and walk back.

A) reflex
B) stokes
C) gait
D) recall

Question 30

The hallmarks of HAPE are complaints of ____, restlessness at night, and shortness of breath with mild exertion.

A) extreme fatigue
B) nausea
C) hallucinations
D) blurred vision

Question 31

For every 3,333 feet (1,000 meters) gained, an individual should stay at the same altitude for ____ extra night(s).

A) one
B) two
C) three
D) four

Question 32

____ occurs frequently at altitudes above 14,000 feet and is caused by a lack of oxygen to the retina.

A) High altitude retinal hemorrhage
B) Optic neuritis
C) Snow blindness
D) Strabismus

Question 33

Most deaths from altitude illness occur from ____, a noncardiogenic edema caused by increased pressure in the pulmonary capillaries.

A) high altitude retinal hemorrhage
B) high altitude pulmonary edema
C) acute mountain sickness
D) snow sickness

Question 34

____, a very painful eye condition caused by exposure to extreme solar ultraviolet radiation, typically occurs from wearing no eye protection or inadequate protection in high glare conditions.

A) Presbyopia
B) Snow blindness
C) Madarosis
D) Amblyopia

Question 35

An international hypoxia symposium held in Alberta, Canada, produced the "____ Criteria," which lists the diagnostic criteria needed to make a diagnosis of altitude sickness.

A) Lake Louise
B) Mount Kitchener
C) Mount Vernon
D) Lake Tahoe