(UNCLASSIFIED) USAF UCT
PHYSIOLOGY TEST REVIEW
QUESTIONS (UNCLASSIFIED). EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 100% PASS.
What is the approximate percentage of oxygen, nitrogen, and other gases at 18,000 feet MSL? -
ANS 21 percent oxygen, 78 percent nitrogen, and 1 percent other gasses. (JP101, P.3)
What is the best description of atmospheric pressure and its cause? - ANS The combined
weight of all the atmospheric gases which is caused by gravity pulling the gas molecules
earthward and thermal and solar radiation expanding the gasses outward toward space. (JP101,
P.3)
What are the common units to measure atmospheric pressure? - ANS inHg, mmHg, psi
(JP101, P.3)
What represents the notation for the partial pressure of gasses? - ANS PO2-partial pressure
of oxygen, PCO2-partial pressure of carbon dioxide, PN2-partial pressure of nitrogen. (JP101,
P.6)
True or false; PO2 increases and the percentage of oxygen decreases as altitude increases. -
ANS False (JP101, P.3)
What is the temperature lapse rate up to approximately 35,000 feet? - ANS About 2 degrees
Celsius per 1,000 feet of elevation change (JP101, P.4)
2026 STUDY MATERIAL @COPYRIGHT RESERVED 1
,The human body is adapted to which physiological division of the atmosphere? -
ANS Physiological zone (JP101, P.5)
Boyle's Law - ANS Explains why a balloon expands as it ascends and also why a volume of air
expands when trapped in a body cavity when the pressure is reduced around it. (JP101, P.6)
Henry's Law - ANS Explains why a soda pop bubbles after it is opened. (JP101, P.6)
Dalton's Law - ANS Explains how exposure to a high altitude can reduce the available oxygen.
(JP101, P.6)
Charles' Law - ANS Explains why the temperature increases in a cylinder that is being
pressurized. (JP101, NP)
Law of Gaseous Diffusion - ANS Explains how oxygen moves out of the lungs into the
bloodstream. (JP101, P.7)
The purpose of respiration is to get _________________ into the body and remove excess
__________________. - ANS Oxygen; carbon dioxide (JP102, P.11)
What is/are the site(s) of gas exchange in the lung between the atmosphere and the blood? -
ANS Alveoli (JP102, P.12)
What is the normal breathing rate of an average adult? - ANS 12-16 breaths per minute.
(JP102, P.13)
What is the most important factor in the control of ventilation under normal conditions? -
ANS PCO2 (JP102, P.12)
What is the main function of red blood cells? - ANS Carry oxygen (JP102, P.16)
2026 STUDY MATERIAL @COPYRIGHT RESERVED 2
, During ascent (as ambient pressure decreases), gases trapped within body cavities will
__________________. - ANS Expand (JP103, P.28)
The four areas of the body influenced by the mechanical effects of trapped gases are: -
ANS Ears, sinuses, GI tract, teeth (JP103, P.28)
What is the best method of preventing problems with the ears and sinuses in-flight? - ANS Do
not fly with a cold (JP103, P.29)
Decompression sickness symptoms associated with "the bends." - ANS Deep, dull, boring
pain in a joint; Pain may involve the muscles; Usually occurs in the shoulders, knees, elbows,
and ankles. (JP103, P.30-31)
Decompression sickness symptoms associated with "the chokes." - ANS Deep, sharp pain
centrally located under the sternum; Difficulty with inspiration. (JP103, P.30-31)
Decompression sickness symptoms associated with skin manifestations or "the creeps." -
ANS Mottled and diffused rash. (JP103, P.31)
Decompression sickness symptoms associated with the central nervous system (neurological
manifestations). - ANS Visual disturbance; Itching sensation; Partial paralysis; Loss of speech
or hearing; Severe, persistent headache; Vertigo; Loss of orientation; Tingling of one arm, leg, or
side of the body. (JP103, P.31)
Decompression sickness (DCS) is caused by _____________ coming out of solution in the tissue
and blood. - ANS Nitrogen (JP103, P.30)
List, in order, the corrective actions for any suspected or observed DCS. - ANS -100% or
maximum oxygen
-Immobilize the affected area
-Land as soon as practical
2026 STUDY MATERIAL @COPYRIGHT RESERVED 3
PHYSIOLOGY TEST REVIEW
QUESTIONS (UNCLASSIFIED). EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 100% PASS.
What is the approximate percentage of oxygen, nitrogen, and other gases at 18,000 feet MSL? -
ANS 21 percent oxygen, 78 percent nitrogen, and 1 percent other gasses. (JP101, P.3)
What is the best description of atmospheric pressure and its cause? - ANS The combined
weight of all the atmospheric gases which is caused by gravity pulling the gas molecules
earthward and thermal and solar radiation expanding the gasses outward toward space. (JP101,
P.3)
What are the common units to measure atmospheric pressure? - ANS inHg, mmHg, psi
(JP101, P.3)
What represents the notation for the partial pressure of gasses? - ANS PO2-partial pressure
of oxygen, PCO2-partial pressure of carbon dioxide, PN2-partial pressure of nitrogen. (JP101,
P.6)
True or false; PO2 increases and the percentage of oxygen decreases as altitude increases. -
ANS False (JP101, P.3)
What is the temperature lapse rate up to approximately 35,000 feet? - ANS About 2 degrees
Celsius per 1,000 feet of elevation change (JP101, P.4)
2026 STUDY MATERIAL @COPYRIGHT RESERVED 1
,The human body is adapted to which physiological division of the atmosphere? -
ANS Physiological zone (JP101, P.5)
Boyle's Law - ANS Explains why a balloon expands as it ascends and also why a volume of air
expands when trapped in a body cavity when the pressure is reduced around it. (JP101, P.6)
Henry's Law - ANS Explains why a soda pop bubbles after it is opened. (JP101, P.6)
Dalton's Law - ANS Explains how exposure to a high altitude can reduce the available oxygen.
(JP101, P.6)
Charles' Law - ANS Explains why the temperature increases in a cylinder that is being
pressurized. (JP101, NP)
Law of Gaseous Diffusion - ANS Explains how oxygen moves out of the lungs into the
bloodstream. (JP101, P.7)
The purpose of respiration is to get _________________ into the body and remove excess
__________________. - ANS Oxygen; carbon dioxide (JP102, P.11)
What is/are the site(s) of gas exchange in the lung between the atmosphere and the blood? -
ANS Alveoli (JP102, P.12)
What is the normal breathing rate of an average adult? - ANS 12-16 breaths per minute.
(JP102, P.13)
What is the most important factor in the control of ventilation under normal conditions? -
ANS PCO2 (JP102, P.12)
What is the main function of red blood cells? - ANS Carry oxygen (JP102, P.16)
2026 STUDY MATERIAL @COPYRIGHT RESERVED 2
, During ascent (as ambient pressure decreases), gases trapped within body cavities will
__________________. - ANS Expand (JP103, P.28)
The four areas of the body influenced by the mechanical effects of trapped gases are: -
ANS Ears, sinuses, GI tract, teeth (JP103, P.28)
What is the best method of preventing problems with the ears and sinuses in-flight? - ANS Do
not fly with a cold (JP103, P.29)
Decompression sickness symptoms associated with "the bends." - ANS Deep, dull, boring
pain in a joint; Pain may involve the muscles; Usually occurs in the shoulders, knees, elbows,
and ankles. (JP103, P.30-31)
Decompression sickness symptoms associated with "the chokes." - ANS Deep, sharp pain
centrally located under the sternum; Difficulty with inspiration. (JP103, P.30-31)
Decompression sickness symptoms associated with skin manifestations or "the creeps." -
ANS Mottled and diffused rash. (JP103, P.31)
Decompression sickness symptoms associated with the central nervous system (neurological
manifestations). - ANS Visual disturbance; Itching sensation; Partial paralysis; Loss of speech
or hearing; Severe, persistent headache; Vertigo; Loss of orientation; Tingling of one arm, leg, or
side of the body. (JP103, P.31)
Decompression sickness (DCS) is caused by _____________ coming out of solution in the tissue
and blood. - ANS Nitrogen (JP103, P.30)
List, in order, the corrective actions for any suspected or observed DCS. - ANS -100% or
maximum oxygen
-Immobilize the affected area
-Land as soon as practical
2026 STUDY MATERIAL @COPYRIGHT RESERVED 3
