You are asked to speak to a college group that is planning a ski trip to the Alps. In order to help ...

You are asked to speak to a college group that is planning a ski trip to the Alps. In order to help them plan for reducing their risks for developing altitude-related illnesses, you suggest all of the following except:
 
  a. plan a layover day at between 6,000 feet and 8,000 feet.
  b. drink 34 quarts of fluid a day.
  c. do a lot of heavy physical exertion early in the trip to help them acclimate.
  d. sleep at an elevation that is lower than where they will be skiing.

Question 2

You have a 32-year-old male patient who just arrived at the aid room on the top of a 9,000-foot peak. You think he may be exhibiting signs of altitude sickness. You recognize that the key to a successful outcome of treatment is to:
 
  a. get him to lie down so his symptoms do not worsen.
  b. start him on oxygen via a nasal cannula.
  c. prevent further body cooling by covering him with blankets.
  d. recognize the patient's signs and descend to a lower elevation.

Question 3

In order to enjoy their upcoming skiing trip, your family has gathered information about risk factors for high-altitude illnesses. Contributing factors that could make altitude illness worse include:
 
  a. a history of angina.
  b. a diet that is high in carbohydrates.
  c. the lack of regular exercise.
  d. COPD.

Question 4

In order to assess for a key symptom of HACE, you would ask patients to:
 
  a. walk a straight line heel to toe.
  b. take a deep breath and let you know if it hurts.
  c. tell you if their rings are fitting tightly.
  d. read an eye chart.

Question 5

Your group of climbers has reached an elevation of 8,500 feet. One of the climbers is increasingly short of breath and now has audible chest congestion. Your party has a limited supply of oxygen, which you immediately apply to the climber at 15 LPM via a nonrebreather mask. Based on your assessment that the climber has HAPE, you recognize that the next necessary treatment is:
 
  a. a rapid descent of at least 1,500 to 3,000 feet.
  b. to administer diuretics such as Diamox to reduce the patient's pulmonary edema.
  c. to get the patient to a physician who can administer dexamethesone.
  d. to place the patient in the shock position.