WorksheetsDiving Physiology Quiz
Total questions: 10
Worksheet time: 10mins
When the face is immersed in cold water, the diving reflex is triggered. Which of the following BEST describes its physiological effects?
Tachycardia with peripheral vasodilation
Bradycardia with peripheral vasoconstriction
Tachycardia with increased cardiac output
Bradycardia with pulmonary vasodilation
Why does the work of breathing increase significantly at depth?
Reduced alveolar compliance due to nitrogen narcosis
Increased surface tension due to reduced surfactant activity
Increased shunt due to collapse of dependent alveoli
Increased airway resistance due to high gas density
During immersion in water up to the neck, what is the most immediate cardiovascular effect?
Peripheral vasoconstriction and central blood pooling
Increased pulmonary vascular resistance with right heart failure
Increased cardiac output due to increased venous return
Peripheral vasodilation and bradycardia
A diver descends to 30 metres underwater while breathing compressed air. Which gas law best explains the increased partial pressure of nitrogen in the alveoli?
Henry’s law
Dalton’s law
Charles’ law
Boyle’s law
Which of the following is the most likely acute risk if a diver holds their breath during ascent?
Arterial gas embolism
Nitrogen narcosis
Decompression sickness
Carbon dioxide retention
Which of the following statements about nitrogen narcosis is TRUE?
It is caused by hypoxia at depth
It occurs due to alveolar overexpansion
It is prevented by pre-dive hyperventilation
It presents similarly to alcohol intoxication
A diver is breathing 100% oxygen at 3 atm absolute pressure. Which complication is most likely with prolonged exposure?
Pulmonary barotrauma
CNS convulsions
Nitrogen narcosis
Decompression sickness
Which of the following is most characteristic of high pressure nervous syndrome (HPNS) during very deep dives using helium–oxygen mixtures?
Tremor, myoclonus, and cognitive slowing due to extreme pressure effects
Syncope due to hypoxic blackout
Euphoria and impaired judgement due to nitrogen narcosis
Seizures due to CNS oxygen toxicity
Which of the following best explains the pathophysiology of decompression sickness?
Carbon dioxide accumulation due to hypoventilation
Oxygen free radical damage in pulmonary capillaries
Nitrogen bubble formation during rapid ascent
Sudden collapse of alveoli at depth
A free diver hyperventilates before descent. Which mechanism best explains the risk of “shallow water blackout” on ascent?
Decompression sickness due to nitrogen supersaturation
Hypoxia caused by falling PaO₂ before the urge to breathe occurs
Cerebral oedema due to hypercapnia
Alveolar rupture due to Boyle’s law
