A 41-year-old diver arrives with joint pain and weakness after a rapid ascent. Triage acuity is ESI 2; BP 128/78 mm Hg, HR 104/min, SpO2 96%. He has

Question

A 41-year-old diver arrives with joint pain and weakness after a rapid ascent. Triage acuity is ESI 2; BP 128/78 mm Hg, HR 104/min, SpO2 96%. He has paresthesias, ataxia, and mottled skin. Symptoms began within 30 minutes of surfacing. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Decompression sickness

Answer

Simple muscle strain

Answer

Acute vestibular neuritis

Answer

Carbon monoxide poisoning

Answer

Nitrogen narcosis at depth

Scuba decompression illness — ABEM Board MCQ

A 41-year-old diver arrives with joint pain and weakness after a rapid ascent. Triage acuity is ESI 2; BP 128/78 mm Hg, HR 104/min, SpO2 96%. He has paresthesias, ataxia, and mottled skin. Symptoms began within 30 minutes of surfacing. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?