Deck One

Question 1

What is the definition of the Intox EC/IR II?

Answer 1

An approved instrument which analyzes a sample of deep lung air and reports the results in milligrams of alcohol in 100 milliliters of blood.

Question 2

What is Henry’s Law in relation to breath analysis?

Answer 2

At 34 degrees Celsius the concentration of alcohol in deep lung air is proportional to the concentration of alcohol in blood.

Question 3

What is the breath:blood ratio?

Answer 3

At 34 degrees Celsius, 2100 parts deep lung air contains the same amount of alcohol as 1 part blood.

Question 4

What factors will affect a breath test result?

Answer 4

Breath temperature (fever or hyperventilation), mouth alcohol or shallow blow.

Question 5

What is the margin of acceptability for the alcohol standard test? Or, what does it mean when the instrument is found to be in proper working order?

Answer 5

The alcohol standard test results are within 10% of the target value.

Question 6

What are the preset target values for the wet bath and dry gas alcohol standards?

Answer 6

100 mg% and 82% respectively.

Question 7

Where does gas exchange occur within the lungs?

Answer 7

In the alveolar airspace (tiny air sacs deep within the lungs).

Question 8

What 2 analytical techniques does the Intox EC/IR II use to achieve a blood alcohol concentration?

Answer 8

Infrared (IR) analysis and an electrochemical sensor (fuel cell).

Question 9

What is the purpose the purge fan?

Answer 9

Draw air into the IR sample chamber and clear the system of any residual alcohol.

Question 10

What are the 2 functions of the pressure sensor?

Answer 10

Monitor flow rate and volume of the breath sample and monitor ambient atmospheric pressure.

Question 11

What is RFI and what are 2 safeguards used to protect against RFI?

Answer 11

Radio frequency interference. Faraday cage and the metal instrument case protect against RFI.

Question 12

What is the purpose of the IR system?

Answer 12

To monitor the quality of the breath sample and detect mouth alcohol.

Question 13

How does IR detector function?

Answer 13

Since there is a direct relationship between amount of alcohol in chamber and amount of energy absorbed, it monitors the amount of energy at specific wavelengths (3), 1 for CO2 and 2 for ethanol, and measures the amount of energy that passes through then determines the amount of energy absorbed by the alcohol.

Question 14

How is mouth alcohol detected?

Answer 14

The IR system detects high breath alcohol concentration due to large decrease in ethyl alcohol wavelength energy which is quickly replaced by breath with a much lower alcohol concentration.

Question 15

What are the 3 sample acceptance criteria?

Answer 15

Minimum flow rate of 12L/min, minimum volume of 1.5L and a 5% drop in flow rate after minimum volume is reached.

Question 16

What are the 3 criteria of a proper breath test (PBT)?

Answer 16

2 suitable breath samples which agree within 20 mg% of each other, 2 diagnostic tests that passed and 2 alcohol standard tests within 10% of the target value.

Question 17

What are the 5 phases of the breath test procedure?

Answer 17

Observation period, information gathering, data entry, breath test analysis and final check.

Question 18

What is the simulator temperature range?

Answer 18

33.8-34.2 degrees Celsius.

Question 19

How many times during a subject test will the QT be prompted to check the simulator temperature?

Answer 19

3 times.

Question 20

How many subject tests and tests per subject be taken at the same time using the Intox EC/IR II?

Answer 20

4 test subjects and 4 tests per subject.

Question 21

When would a QT perform a quick test?

Answer 21

When there is an equivocal refusal.

Question 22

At what temperature is the breath tube maintained?

Answer 22

40 degrees Celsius +/- 1.

Question 23

What are the primary and secondary functions of the fuel cell?

Answer 23

Primary purpose is to determine blood alcohol concentration; secondary function is to determine if interfering substances are present.

Question 24

What is the breath sample sequence?

Answer 24

Subject provides breath sample, fuel cell is trigerred to open, the sample is drawn in and there is a fuel cell reaction (higher alcohol means higher voltage which results in higher BAC).

Question 25

When should the observation period be restarted?

Answer 25

If subject not kept within close proximity and field of view, if subject places anything in mouth or if subject burps, belches or vomits.

Question 26

Name 2 interfering substances that will react with the fuel cell?

Answer 26

Methanol and isopropynol. Acetone (diabetes) will not react on the fuel cell.

Question 27

When can mouth alcohol and interfering substance warnings occur?

Answer 27

Mouth alcohol warning can occur during the breath sample or after analysis; interfering substance warning can occur only after analysis.

Question 28

When should a QT change the simulator solution?

Answer 28

Every 2 weeks, 50 samples or upon expiration.

Question 29

Name the 5 logs that ensure valid and accurate breath tests.

Answer 29

Personal log, instrument usage report, maintenance log, alcohol standard change log and breat test bulletins.

Question 30

What are the criteria for conducting a proper observation period?

Answer 30

Search the subject and check the mouth; subject must be in field of view and within close proximity; and observe the subject for at least 15 continuous minutes prior to each breath test.

Question 31

What is the expected pressure of a new dry gas cylinder?

Answer 31

Between 100-1200 psi.

Question 32

What will happen if the dry gas alcohol standard expires or pressure drops below 50 psi?

Answer 32

The instrument will lock out.