The most prominent symptom of decompression sickness is:

The most prominent symptom of decompression sickness is:

• A. A. Difficulty with vision.
• B. B. Tightness in the chest.
• C. C. Dizziness and nausea.
• D. D. Abdominal or joint pain.

Answer: (D)

Decompression sickness, also known as "the bends," primarily occurs when a diver ascends too quickly, causing nitrogen dissolved in the blood to form bubbles. The most prominent symptom is often abdominal or joint pain, which is typically caused by these nitrogen bubbles disrupting normal tissue and causing inflammation. This pain can manifest in the joints and muscles, or the abdomen, as it affects various parts of the body depending on where the bubbles form. This presentation aligns with the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying decompression sickness. Joint pain is particularly notable because it often occurs in areas with high levels of metabolism or where significant movement occurs. It can be described as a deep, aching pain in the joints, which can mimic other conditions, but its association with a history of diving and rapid ascent is critical for diagnosis. The other symptoms listed also occur with decompression sickness but are not as defining as the pain aspect. For instance, while difficulty with vision, tightness in the chest, and dizziness and nausea can occur, they are more generic symptoms that can be attributed to a range of other medical conditions and aren't as specific to decompression sickness. Thus, abdominal or joint pain stands out as the hallmark symptom that most directly indicates the condition.

Decompression sickness, also known as "the bends," primarily occurs when a diver ascends too quickly, causing nitrogen dissolved in the blood to form bubbles. The most prominent symptom is often abdominal or joint pain, which is typically caused by these nitrogen bubbles disrupting normal tissue and causing inflammation. This pain can manifest in the joints and muscles, or the abdomen, as it affects various parts of the body depending on where the bubbles form.

This presentation aligns with the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying decompression sickness. Joint pain is particularly notable because it often occurs in areas with high levels of metabolism or where significant movement occurs. It can be described as a deep, aching pain in the joints, which can mimic other conditions, but its association with a history of diving and rapid ascent is critical for diagnosis.

The other symptoms listed also occur with decompression sickness but are not as defining as the pain aspect. For instance, while difficulty with vision, tightness in the chest, and dizziness and nausea can occur, they are more generic symptoms that can be attributed to a range of other medical conditions and aren't as specific to decompression sickness. Thus, abdominal or joint pain stands out as the hallmark symptom that most directly indicates the condition.