Chronic decompression sickness is referred to as

RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2022

Medical & Surgical Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2022

Explanation

Caisson disease is a historical term for decompression sickness (DCS), named after the pressurized chambers (caissons) used for underwater construction.
The term is particularly associated with the chronic form of DCS, which involves long-term complications from gas emboli.
A key feature of chronic DCS (Caisson disease) is dysbaric osteonecrosis, which is ischemic death of bone tissue, commonly affecting the heads of the femur and humerus.
This condition develops from the persistence of nitrogen gas bubbles in the skeletal system after inadequate decompression.

Option B: Air embolism is the entry of gas into the vasculature, which can cause an arterial gas embolism (AGE), a distinct diving-related injury. It is not a synonym for the chronic form of decompression sickness.
Option C: Pneumothorax is the presence of air in the pleural space causing a collapsed lung. It is a form of barotrauma but is not decompression sickness, which involves dissolved gases coming out of solution throughout the body.
Option D: Patau syndrome is a chromosomal abnormality (Trisomy 13) causing severe birth defects. It is a genetic disorder and is completely unrelated to diving or pressure changes.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Medical terminology and pathophysiology of pressure-related disorders as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must be able to recognize the signs of decompression sickness in patients presenting to the emergency department, especially those with a recent history of diving, flying after diving, or working in pressurized environments.
The definitive treatment for DCS is hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy. Prompt recognition and initiation of 100% oxygen, along with rapid transport to a facility with a hyperbaric chamber, are critical nursing responsibilities.
What if? If the patient presented with similar joint pain but had no history of pressure exposure and instead had a recent streptococcal infection, the primary diagnosis would shift towards post-streptococcal reactive arthritis or rheumatic fever, and the management would involve anti-inflammatories and antibiotics, not hyperbaric oxygen.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept in the question stem: 'Chronic decompression sickness'.
The question asks for a synonym or an alternative name ('is referred to as'). This is a factual recall question.
Analyze the options. 'Caisson disease' is historically linked to workers in pressurized environments, making it a strong candidate.
Evaluate the other options: 'Air embolism' is related but distinct. 'Pneumothorax' is a lung collapse. 'Patau syndrome' is a genetic disorder. These can be eliminated based on knowledge of basic pathology.
Confirm the link between 'Caisson disease' and the chronic form of decompression sickness to select the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Medical terminology and pathophysiology of pressure-related disorders.
Stem keywords: Chronic decompression sickness
Lead-in keywords: is referred to as

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