Certified Hyperbaric Technologist Practice Test

If an HBO treatment causes vasoconstriction, what indirect effect will this have?

1. Increasing heart rate

2. Increasing blood volume

3. Reducing edema

4. Enhancing oxygen transport

The correct answer is: Reducing edema

When hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment induces vasoconstriction, one of the significant indirect effects observed is the reduction of edema. Vasoconstriction refers to the narrowing of blood vessels, which leads to a decrease in blood flow to a specific area. This mechanism can help manage fluid accumulation in tissues, as reduced blood flow decreases hydrostatic pressure within capillaries and, consequently, the amount of fluid that leaves blood vessels and enters the surrounding tissue. In typical scenarios where edema is present, excess fluid accumulates in interstitial spaces. By causing vasoconstriction, HBO therapy can facilitate the removal of excess fluid, thus reducing swelling. This is particularly beneficial in conditions where edema contributes to increased pressure and discomfort, helping to restore normal tissue function. Other options, while related to physiological responses, do not directly correlate with the indirect effect of vasoconstriction. For instance, increasing heart rate and blood volume generally result from physiological stress or compensation mechanisms rather than being a direct consequence of vasoconstriction. Enhancing oxygen transport pertains more directly to the effects of increased oxygen availability through HBO therapy itself and is not a direct result of vasoconstriction.