The USAP Portal: Science and Support in Antarctica

What elevation is considered "high" altitude?
1. Sea level
2. Sea level to 4,000 feet
3. 8,000 feet and above
In polar regions, inadequate oxygen in the bloodstream occurs at lower elevations.
1. True
2. False
The process by which your body adjusts and adapts to the decrease in oxygen available to the tissues is called:
1. Attitude adjustment
2. Adjustment zone
3. Acclimatization
The body acclimatizes to altitude by altering which processes?
1. Increased ventilation
2. Increased cardiac output
3. Increased red blood cell (RBC) production
4. Increased pulmonary artery pressure
5. All of the above
Everyone acclimatizes at the same rate.
1. True
2. False
Normal body responses to altitude include all of the following except:
1. Hyperventilation
2. Vomiting
3. Shortness of breath with exertion
4. Sleep disturbances
Mild symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) include a headache with which of the following:
1. Fatigue
2. Shortness of breath
3. Nausea
4. Lack of appetite
5. Any or all of the above
High Altitude Cerebral Edema is a serious illness that must be treated immediately.
1. True
2. False
Signs/Symptoms of High Altitude Pulmonary Edema include:
1. Shortness of breath at rest
2. Productive cough with signs of fluid in lungs
3. Increase heart rate and respiratory rate
4. All of the above
Initial treatment for all altitude illnesses include:
1. Report to medical leader
2. Oxygen
3. Rest
4. Descent
5. All of the above
Prior to departing for altitude you should:
1. Stay up all night so you can sleep enroute
2. Rest, hydrate and avoid alcohol, tobacco and depressant medications
3. Sleep on oxygen the night before departure
The altitude medication Diamox is available at McMurdo Medical clinic:
1. True
2. False
After arriving at altitude you should:
1. Work as hard as you can to get settled in
2. Do rigorous exercise to get used to the altitude
3. Rest, hydrate, light exercise and avoid tobacco, alcohol and depressant medications
4. Sleep for two days straight

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