In the Disturbance Stage of hypoxia, which of the following is NOT a typical symptom?

In the Disturbance Stage of hypoxia, which of the following is NOT a typical symptom?

• A. Blurred vision
• B. Slurred speech
• C. Improved memory
• D. Erratic flight control

Answer: (C)

When the body enters the Disturbance Stage of hypoxia, the brain’s function starts to falter due to reduced oxygen. This shows up as cognitive and motor deficits that impact flying performance. Visual processing becomes unreliable, so blurred vision can occur. Speech and coordination deteriorate, leading to slurred speech and difficulty maintaining precise flight control, which shows up as erratic flight control. Memory, on the other hand, does not improve under hypoxic stress—memory and overall cognitive clarity typically decline as oxygen deprivation worsens. So the symptom that does not fit this stage is an improvement in memory, since hypoxia tends to impair memory rather than enhance it.

When the body enters the Disturbance Stage of hypoxia, the brain’s function starts to falter due to reduced oxygen. This shows up as cognitive and motor deficits that impact flying performance. Visual processing becomes unreliable, so blurred vision can occur. Speech and coordination deteriorate, leading to slurred speech and difficulty maintaining precise flight control, which shows up as erratic flight control. Memory, on the other hand, does not improve under hypoxic stress—memory and overall cognitive clarity typically decline as oxygen deprivation worsens. So the symptom that does not fit this stage is an improvement in memory, since hypoxia tends to impair memory rather than enhance it.