Which CNS symptoms are commonly associated with decompression sickness?

Which CNS symptoms are commonly associated with decompression sickness?

• A. Visual disturbances, headaches, partial paralysis, inability to hear or speak, and loss of orientation
• B. Chest pain and cough
• C. Tingling sensations in the fingers
• D. Skin itching

Answer: (A)

Decompression sickness can affect the nervous system when gas bubbles travel to the brain or spinal cord and block blood flow, producing a range of CNS signs. Visual disturbances, headaches, weakness or partial paralysis, speech or hearing difficulties, and disorientation or confusion all reflect involvement of the brain and/or spinal pathways. This cluster of symptoms is characteristic of CNS involvement in DCS, making it the best match for the question. Other options point to non-neurologic manifestations. Chest pain and cough suggest pulmonary involvement. Tingling in the fingers can occur but isn’t exclusive to CNS involvement and is less characteristic of the major CNS picture. Skin itching is a cutaneous manifestation from bubbles in the skin, not CNS.

Decompression sickness can affect the nervous system when gas bubbles travel to the brain or spinal cord and block blood flow, producing a range of CNS signs. Visual disturbances, headaches, weakness or partial paralysis, speech or hearing difficulties, and disorientation or confusion all reflect involvement of the brain and/or spinal pathways. This cluster of symptoms is characteristic of CNS involvement in DCS, making it the best match for the question.

Other options point to non-neurologic manifestations. Chest pain and cough suggest pulmonary involvement. Tingling in the fingers can occur but isn’t exclusive to CNS involvement and is less characteristic of the major CNS picture. Skin itching is a cutaneous manifestation from bubbles in the skin, not CNS.