Which of the following is a common symptom of hypoxia?

• A. Impaired Judgment
• B. Increased Appetite
• C. Sneezing
• D. Hair Loss

Answer: (A)

Hypoxia reduces oxygen delivery to the brain, so cognitive functions tend to degrade early. A common early sign is impaired judgment, which shows up as slower thinking, poorer decision-making, and difficulty correctly assessing situations—exactly the sort of mental alertness pilots rely on to fly safely. The other options aren’t typical early indicators of oxygen deficiency: increased appetite isn’t tied to low oxygen, sneezing is a reflex from irritants, and hair loss isn’t an acute response to hypoxia. Recognizing impaired judgment as an early symptom is important because it signals the need to descend and obtain oxygen to prevent a further decline in performance. As hypoxia progresses, you may see headache, dizziness, confusion, or cyanosis.