Which condition is a physiological disturbance caused by increased partial pressure of nitrogen?

Which condition is a physiological disturbance caused by increased partial pressure of nitrogen?

• A. Pyelonephritis
• B. Mittelschmerz
• C. Decompression Sickness
• D. Nitrogen Narcosis

Answer: (D)

When the ambient pressure increases, more nitrogen dissolves into the body's tissues and bloodstream. Nitrogen is inert, but at high partial pressures it acts like a narcotic on the central nervous system by altering nerve cell membranes and signaling. This produces a CNS depression described as nitrogen narcosis: slowed thinking, impaired judgement, dizziness, numbness, and a relaxed, intoxicated sensation that can progress to confusion or loss of coordination as depth increases. It typically appears within minutes of reaching depth and worsens with deeper dives. The important distinction is that nitrogen narcosis happens during increased pressure, while decompression sickness arises after ascent when dissolved nitrogen forms bubbles as pressure drops. To manage narcosis, the primary step is to ascend to a shallower depth or stop descending; symptoms usually lessen or resolve with ascent. In diving practice, prevention includes limiting depth for air dives and using gas mixes with reduced nitrogen content for deeper dives.

When the ambient pressure increases, more nitrogen dissolves into the body's tissues and bloodstream. Nitrogen is inert, but at high partial pressures it acts like a narcotic on the central nervous system by altering nerve cell membranes and signaling. This produces a CNS depression described as nitrogen narcosis: slowed thinking, impaired judgement, dizziness, numbness, and a relaxed, intoxicated sensation that can progress to confusion or loss of coordination as depth increases. It typically appears within minutes of reaching depth and worsens with deeper dives.

The important distinction is that nitrogen narcosis happens during increased pressure, while decompression sickness arises after ascent when dissolved nitrogen forms bubbles as pressure drops. To manage narcosis, the primary step is to ascend to a shallower depth or stop descending; symptoms usually lessen or resolve with ascent. In diving practice, prevention includes limiting depth for air dives and using gas mixes with reduced nitrogen content for deeper dives.