What condition is characterized by impaired mental and physical performance, and changes in mood and behavior?

Prepare for the NAUI Nitrox Diver Test. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Dive into your exam readiness now!

The condition characterized by impaired mental and physical performance, along with changes in mood and behavior, is nitrogen narcosis. When divers descend to depths greater than 30 meters (approximately 100 feet), the increased partial pressure of nitrogen in their breathing gas can lead to a narcotic effect. This phenomenon, often referred to as "deep-sea narcosis," occurs because nitrogen interferes with the normal functioning of neurotransmitters in the brain.

As the narcosis progresses, divers may experience symptoms such as impaired judgment, decreased coordination, euphoria, or anxiety. These effects can impair a diver's ability to make critical decisions and respond to situations, making it crucial for divers to be aware of the risks associated with deep diving and nitrogen narcosis. The condition is temporary and generally resolves once the diver ascends to shallower depths, where the pressure decreases and nitrogen levels in the body normalize.

Other conditions listed, such as oxidative stress, CNS oxygen toxicity, and decompression sickness, do not specifically focus on the combination of mental and physical performance impairment changes in mood and behavior to the same extent as nitrogen narcosis. Each of these conditions has distinct physiological mechanisms and symptoms that do not overlap in the same way.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy