Electrical & Laser Safety Flashcards

1
Q

The Law of Conservation of Electrical Charge states:

A

The total amount of electrical charge in the universe is constant. Charges are “simply” transferred.

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2
Q

Charges that move are what chemical species and what is their charge?

A

Negatively charged electrons.

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3
Q

What is electricity?

A

The flow of electrons - electron movement

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4
Q

All electrical charges have an associated:

A

force field

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5
Q

Stationary electric charges possess potential energy measured in joules. What is an example of a medical device that holds potential energy?

A

Defibrillator

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6
Q

What is a conductor?

A

Any substance that permits the flow of electrons. Most metals are due to mostly empty electron shells.

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7
Q

What is an insulator?

A

Any substance that does not allow the flow of electrons. Non-metallic.

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8
Q

Can insulators hold a charge?

A

Yes. It can hold a static charge. ex: defibrillator charging

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9
Q

What is an electrical current

A

The amount (magnitude) of charge flowing per unit time.

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10
Q

What is resistance in terms of electricity?

A

The energy required to push electrons through a material

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11
Q

What is an electrical circuit?

A

Electrical charge flowing through a closed path

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12
Q

What is a Direct Circuit (DC). Give an example

A

Current flows in one direction only.
Ex: Energy commonly battery powered

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13
Q

What is an Alternating Circuit (AC)
Give an example

A

Current periodically changes direction.
Ex: Derive energy from wall outlets or AC generators

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14
Q

Describe a Series Circuit

A

There is only one path that the current can take. Voltages and resistances are additive.

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15
Q

Describe a Parallel Circuit, give an example

A

Current can take more than one path. A unique current will flow through each resistor independently.
ex: household ciruits

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16
Q

What is electrical power?

A

Power is the rate at which energy is expended or consumed

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17
Q

What two variables impact Ohm’s Law

A

Resistance and Conductance

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18
Q

What does Ohm’s Law describe?

A

the voltage across a conductor is directly proportional to the current flowing through it, provided all physical conditions and temperatures remain constant.

19
Q

Power consumed by am electrical circuit is measured in?

A

Watts

20
Q

What is a semiconductor? What makes them “popular”?

A

Materials with conducting properties between those of insulators and conductors. The ability to control conductivity by the addition of small amounts of impurities “doping agents”

21
Q

Semiconductors are most commonly prepared from?

A

Silicon

22
Q

What are two types of semiconductors and what are they doped with?

A

P-Type: Positive type. Electron poor material composed of silicon and doped with Boron.

N-Type: Negative type. Electron rich material composed of silicon doped with Arsenic.

23
Q

What are diodes?

A

Electrical current elements that have a large conductance in one direction and a smaller conductance in the reverse direction.

24
Q

How is Spectroscopy used for in healthcare?

A

Analysis of blood work and oxygen pulse oximetry.

25
Q

Substances in spectroscopy absorb complementary color, red absorbs??

A

Greeeeen

26
Q

Beer’s Law describe the relationship between what three factors?

A

Absorptivity
Concentration of analyte
increasing the distance

27
Q

What is transmittance?

A

Fraction of light passing through a sample. Influenced by intensity of the light.

28
Q

What factors influence the strength of a shock?

A

The path of the current
The magnitude of the current
The duration of contact

29
Q

What devices can produce an electric shock?

A

EVERY energized device or electrical circuit has the potential for producing an electric shock

30
Q

What is a Macroshock

A

A relatively large amount of current flows through the body potentially resulting in injury or death

31
Q

What is a Microshock?

A

A relatively small current is delivered externally and finds is way to the heart via a low-resistance pathway

32
Q

A shock as little as _____ can casue ventricular fibrillation

A

100 uA

33
Q

What are 3 modern electrical safety devices?

A

Polarized plugs
Three-pronged grounded plugs
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs)

34
Q

How do Fuses and Circuit Breakers provide safety?

A

Designed to prevent too much current from flowing because of a short circuit or circuit overlaid.

Fuse: contains a metal strip that heats up due to the resistance of the metal to the electrical current. If current exceeds the rated value of the fuse, metal strip will melt and stop current flow. Must be replaced.

Circuit: Same principle as fuse but metal bends instead of melts. Can be reset.

35
Q

What are three items in the OR that use three-pronged plugs and grounded outlets?

A

IV pumps
Anesthesia Gas Machine
Cell Saver

36
Q

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters are usually used where?

A

Near water sources

37
Q

To further reduce the likelihood of shock in the OR, most ORs use what kind of circuits?

A

Isolated Ungrounded Electrical Circuits
simply referred to as Isolated Circuits or Ungrounded Circuits

38
Q

To make an Ungrounded Circuit, what is required?

A

An isolation transformer. Works through electromagnetic induction. No direct connection between the primary circuit [electrical source] and secondary circuit [site of electrical use].

39
Q

What are Line Isolation Monitors

A

Indicates isolation circuit has been compromised. However, allows circuit to remain functional.

40
Q

How do you identify the faulty piece of equipment setting off the line isolation monitor?

A

Sequentially unplugging one piece of equipment at a time until the indicated current on the LIM drops below the limit and silences.

41
Q

What are the two types of Electrosurgery methods

A

Unipolar: requires grounding pad to complete circuit. Current passes through the body to grounding pad.

Bipolar: Utilizes two closest-spaced electrodes. Current flows between them and not through the rest of the body.

42
Q

Thermal destruction of tissue through ESU creates what % of air contaminants

A

95% water
5% particulate matter, volatile gases, and microorganisms.

43
Q

CO2 lasers produce contaminants equal to 3-6 cigarettes by burning how much tissue?

A

Only 1 gram!

44
Q

Pacemakers are an electrical shock risk. What should be placed on them during surgery?

A

Magnet. Interrogate before and after surgery.