During the bottom phase of diving problems, nitrogen narcosis results from nitrogen buildup causing what effect?

• A. Decompression sickness
• B. Eardrum rupture
• C. Nitrogen narcosis causing confusion
• D. Oxygen toxicity

Answer: (C)

When divers go deeper, the partial pressure of nitrogen rises and the gas can have a narcotic, brain-altering effect. This nitrogen narcosis slows neural function and clouds thinking, so confusion and impaired judgment are common signs. That’s why the effect described—confusion due to nitrogen narcosis—is the best match for what happens at depth. The other options describe different diving hazards: decompression sickness involves bubbles forming during ascent, eardrum rupture is a barotrauma from pressure changes, and oxygen toxicity comes from too much oxygen under pressure and has different symptoms.