Occupational and Environmental Health: Recognizing and Preventing Disease and Injury - Multiple Choice Questions - Learn & Prevent

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What condition occurs due to rapid uncontrolled decompression, causing nitrogen to form gas bubbles in the blood?

Decompression Sickness
Arterial thrombosis
Venous embolism
Nitrogen toxicity

The correct answer is: Decompression Sickness

Rapid and uncontrolled decompression can cause a condition known as Decompression Sickness, or "The Bends." This occurs when a person experiences a sudden decrease in surrounding pressure, such as when diving or descending in an airplane. As a result, nitrogen gas in the body can form bubbles in the blood and tissues, leading to symptoms such as pain, weakness, dizziness, and even paralysis. Arterial thrombosis and Venous embolism may occur due to other causes, such as blood clots, but are not associated with rapid decompression accidents. Nitrogen toxicity can also occur in deep diving when a person breathes in too much nitrogen gas, but this is a different condition from Decompression Sickness. Therefore, option A is the best answer as it specifically addresses the question and its associated cause.