Pulmonary Decompression Sickness (Chokes)

Overview

4.8 out of 5 (16 Reviews)

Credits

1.00

Post-Assessment Questions

6

Start Date

1 Sep 2023

Last Review Date

7 Dec 2024

Expiration Date

31 Aug 2026

Estimated Time To Finish

60 Minutes


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Activity Description

Pulmonary decompression sickness, sometimes colloquially referred to by divers as “chokes,” is a rare but serious manifestation of decompression sickness (DCS) that can lead to rapid patient decompensation even with appropriate treatment. Common symptoms include dyspnea, cough, and chest pain. Healthcare providers generally receive minimal training in managing DCS, leading to a practice gap in timely diagnosis and care coordination. This activity provides updated information on the etiology, pathophysiology, differential diagnoses, and best diagnostic and management strategies for pulmonary DCS to assist the interprofessional team in improving collaboration and patient outcomes. 

DCS sometimes referred to as “the bends,” or more rarely “caisson disease,” is precipitated by the liberation of dissolved gas from the blood and body tissues following a reduction in ambient pressure during such activities as an ascent from diving, emergence from a caisson (a dry, pressurized chamber used in underwater construction and repair activities), ascending to a high altitude in an unpressurized aircraft, and engaging in extravehicular activity outside a spacecraft. This activity focuses primarily on diving, the most common cause of DCS seen by healthcare practitioners.


Target Audience

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of physicians, physician associates, nurses, pharmacists, and nurse practitioners.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the learner will be better able to:

  • Identify the signs and symptoms indicative of pulmonary decompression sickness.

  • Select appropriate resources and diagnostic tools to confirm the presence of pulmonary decompression sickness.

  • Implement prehospital and in-hospital treatments for pulmonary decompression sickness.

  • Implement effective collaboration and communication strategies among interprofessional team members to improve treatment efficacy and outcomes for patients with pulmonary decompression sickness.

Disclosures

StatPearls, LLC requires everyone who influences the content of an educational activity to disclose relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies that have occurred within the past 24 months. Ineligible companies are organizations whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. All relevant conflict(s) of interest have been mitigated. Hover over contributor names for financial disclosures. Others involved in planning this educational activity have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Commercial Support: This activity has received NO commercial support.

Continuing Education Accreditation Information

In support of improving patient care, StatPearls, LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

 

Nurses: StatPearls designates this activity for 1.00 ANCC contact hour(s). Nurses should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Please consult your professional licensing board for information on the applicability and acceptance of continuing education credit for this activity.

Method of Participation and Credit

  1. Register for the activity.    
  2. Review the target audience, learning objectives, and disclosure information.
  3. Study the educational content of the enduring material.
  4. Choose the best answer to each activity test question. To receive credit and a certificate, you must pass the test questions with a minimum score of 100%.
  5. Complete the post-activity assessment survey.

If you have concerns regarding the CE/CME system, please contact support@statpearls.com.

Disclaimer

This educational activity was planned and produced in accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Faculty may discuss investigational products or off-label uses of products regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration. Readers should verify all information before employing any therapies described in this educational activity.

The information provided for this activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical/clinical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition. The information presented does not necessarily reflect the views of StatPearls or any commercial supporters of educational activities on statpearls.com. StatPearls expressly disclaims responsibility for any adverse consequences resulting directly or indirectly from information in the course, for undetected error, or through a participant's misunderstanding of the content.

Unapproved Uses of Drugs/Devices: In accordance with FDA requirements, the audience is advised that information presented in this continuing education activity may contain references to unlabeled or unapproved uses of drugs or devices. Please refer to the FDA-approved package insert for each drug/device for full prescribing/utilization information.

Cancellation Policy: Please see the cancellation policy. StatPearls, LLC reserves the right to cancel any course due to unforeseen circumstances.

 

 
 

Reviews

William M. on 2/5/2021

Michael K. on 2/11/2021

Jeffrey D. on 5/10/2021

on 10/1/2021

shannon p. on 11/22/2021

James l. on 1/16/2022

Robin O. on 4/12/2022

Howard L. on 10/26/2022

Brian G. on 2/27/2023

Darshan T. on 8/27/2023

Jacinta S. on 11/3/2023

on 12/28/2023

Narayan K. on 6/19/2024

David M. on 6/26/2024

Aqeel S. on 9/8/2024

Ehsan q. on 12/8/2024

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Unlimited Nurse CE

Stay up to date on the latest medical knowledge with 6725 CE activities. In these online self-assessment activities, read our reference articles and test your knowledge with more than 7994.5 hours of CE.

Single Activity

Take this single activity

$25 1 activity

6 Month Unlimited Nurse CE

Access to all the Unlimited Nurse CE activities in all specialties.

$89 per half year per user

1 Year Unlimited Nurse CE

Access to all the Unlimited Nurse CE activities in all specialties.

$139 per 1 year per user