A pressure-related injury is known as which term?

• A. Barotrauma
• B. Drowning
• C. Dry Drowning
• D. Radiation Exposure

Answer: (A)

Pressure changes that damage tissues are called barotrauma. It happens when external pressure shifts faster or more than the body can equalize the amount of gas in air-filled spaces, like the middle ear, sinuses, or lungs. You might notice ear pain or a possible ruptured eardrum with flying or diving, or lung injury if air is trapped and expands under pressure. This term specifically describes injury related to pressure change, which is why it’s the right answer. Drowning and its dry drowning counterpart involve water in the airways and hypoxia, not pressure-induced tissue damage, while radiation exposure causes tissue damage from ionizing radiation, unrelated to pressure changes.