Respiratory System NCLEX Questions Related

Review Respiratory System NCLEX Questions related questions and content

A SCUBA diver has been deep underwater and suddenly rises to the surface too fast. Why does the diver get decompression sickness?

  • A. Pressure decreases and carbon dioxide rushes into cells
  • B. Pressure changes too fast and the carbon dioxide in the blood forms bubbles
  • C. Pressure decreases too fast and nitrogen gas in the blood forms bubbles
  • D. The gas in the SCUBA tank had too much pressure and rapid ascent forces too much air into the blood
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because as the SCUBA diver rises too fast, the pressure decreases rapidly. This causes the nitrogen gas that was dissolved in the blood at high pressure to form bubbles, leading to decompression sickness. Choice A is incorrect because carbon dioxide rushing into cells is not the cause of decompression sickness. Choice B is incorrect because it refers to carbon dioxide forming bubbles in the blood, which is not the mechanism of decompression sickness. Choice D is incorrect because it focuses on excess air from the SCUBA tank entering the blood, which is not the primary reason for decompression sickness.