Equipment Operation - B (Module) Flashcards
Which of the following gas concentrations should be used to set the slope control when calibrating the PCO2 electrode of a blood gas analyzer?
A. 5%
B. 10%
C. 15%
D. 20%
B. 10%
The “slope” (high value) is 10% for PCO2 electrodes.
The “calibrate” or “balance” (low value) is 5% for PCO2 electrodes.
Which of the following is the most appropriate device to use for calibration of a dry rolling seal spirometer?
A. 3 liter syringe
B. U tube
C. Rotameter
D. Manometer
A. 3 liter syringe
For calibration of ALL spirometers, use a 3 liter syringe.
A U- tube measures pressure.
Rotameters measures flow.
Manometers are devices that measure something. IE “flow manometer” or “pressure manometer”.
The technologist performs a single breath CO diffusion capacity test on a 54 year old patient diagnosed with COPD. The technologist connects a long sample line to the infrared absorption analyzer. This could result in
A. faster absorption of the gases.
B. failure of the chopper motor.
C. and increase in the response time.
D. improper calibration.
D. improper calibration
moisture and/or a long sample line can
have a negative impact on device calibration.
The technologist performs an FRC measurement on a 62 year old patient. During testing, the patient complains that she can inhale but it is very hard to exhale. The technologist should suspect
A. excessive oxygen flow to the circuit.
B. incorrect position of the exhalation valve.
C. exhausted scrubber.
D. failure of the chopper motor.
B. incorrect position of the exhalation valve.
The technologist administers methacholine via breath-actuated nebulizer to a patient as part of a bronchial provocation study. During the treatment, the patient is having difficulty with nebulization of the drug. The most likely explanation is that
A. the patient is unable to generate enough flow through the nebulizer.
B. the exhalation valve is obstructed
C. the connecting tubing is too long.
D. moisture has accumulated in the nebulizer cup.
A. the patient is unable to generate enough flow through the nebulizer.
If the patient cannot generate enough flow through a BAN, they will not actuate the nebulization of the drug.
The technologist performs a DLCO RB study. During the study, the patient compalins of feeling hot and becomes tachypneic. The most likely cause for this is
A. expired calcium sulfate
B. missing scrubber
C. use of Permapure tubing
D. incorrect placement of desiccant.
B. missing scrubber
feeling hot and becoming tachypneic are indications of CO2 rebreathing. In this case, it is likely the CO2 scrubber is missing.
DLCO: diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide
RB: re-breathing
The technologist performs an exercise test on a 58 year old patient. The technologist has applied the ECG electrodes and notes that the Lead II tracing displays an inverted QRS complex. This is most likely caused by
A. reversal of the positive and negative electrodes.
B. incorrect speed of the ECG paper.
C. electrodes not containing conductive gel.
D. incorrect number of electrodes placed on the patient.
A. reversal of the positive and negative electrodes.
An inverted QRS in lead II is not normal. It should point upward.
Negative electrode should be up and to the right of the heart. (top of right arm)
Positive electrode should be down and to the left of the heart. (left leg)
The technologist gathers and assembles equipment in preparation for a pulmonary function test. During testing, the pressure differential pneumotachometer displays low readings for the flow measurements. This is most likely the result of
A. moisture accumulation in the transducer lines.
B. cooling of the pneumotachometer.
C. inaccurate current flow used during testing.
D. increased resistance in the system.
A. moisture accumulation in the transducer lines.
pressure differential pneumotachometers use capillary tubes to measure flow. Moisture/debris in the tubes (transducer lines) will
slow the flow, resulting in a low flow reading.
Moisture/debris will cause a LOW false reading.
The technologist utilize a thermal element to measure flow rates during a pulmonary function study. The technologist notes that the volume readings are uncharacteristically low in comparison to the patient’s previous pulmonary function tests. This could be caused by
A. increased compliance
B. high amount of deadspace.
C. decreased resistance.
D. low temperature.
C. decreased resistance
If there is a hole in the screen on the thermal element, the resistance will decrease and result in low volume readings.
thermal elements are unlikely to be on the exam.
At the end of the day, the technologist reviews the list of patients scheduled for testing for the following day. The technologist notes that there is a patient who is suspected of having tuberculosis scheduled for mid-morning testing. The technologist should
A. contact the referring physician
B. cancel the appointment
C. proceed at the scheduled time.
D. reschedule the patient for the end of the day.
D. reschedule the patient for the end of the day.
You want to reduce the chance of infecting other patients. Take these patients at the end of the day.
The technologist performs and exercise test on a 42 year old patient. The technologist applied the ECG electrodes and notes that the tracing produces a large amount of artifact. In order to eliminate the artifact, the technologist should
A. place the electrodes directly over bony areas.
B. replace the electrodes.
C. assure that the skin was properly prepared.
D. adjust the gain control on the monitor.
C. assure that the skin was properly prepared.
Artifacts are usually caused by improper electrode placement on the skin. Shave, use gel, make sure the area is clean.
Placing electrodes over bone causes poor readings.
The technologist performs and FRC measuremenet utilizing a body plethysmograph. During the procedure, the patient continues to complain that it is very hot inside the box. To reduce the temperature inside the box the technologist should
A. perform a calibration test.
B. close the vent to the box.
C. open the door to the box.
D. increase the gain.
C. open the door to the box.
Most of the time the door should be open for spirometry testing.
You can quickly close the door if you are doing an FRC measurement, and then re-open once it is done.
The technologist performs daily calibration of the pH electrode in the blood gas analyzer. The technologist is using a 6.840 solution for the low value and a 7.384 solution for the high value. The machine display for the low value does not match the calibration values. The technologist should
A. adjust the balance control until the display matches the pH of the solution.
B. inspect the circuit for aspiration of water.
C. run a cleaning solution through the analyzer and re-calibrate.
D. check the levels of the buffer solutions.
A. adjust the balance control until the display matches the pH of the solution.
balance is another word for “low” calibration value on the exam.
*Page A-12 in the study guide
The technologist performs spirometry measurements using a turbine device. The patient has an inconsistent peak expiratory flow rate in the range of 450-650 L/min. The technologist should
A. record the measured results.
B. use nose clips with the procedure.
C. question the patient’s effort.
D. use a peak flowmeter.
D. use a peak flowmeter.
In the question, the tech is measuring peak flow with a turbine device. This is the wrong device to measure peak flow. If you want to measure peak flow rate (PEFR), use a peak flowmeter.
*A turbine device is not designed for high flow rates. It’s best used to measure volumes at normal flow rates.
The pulmonary function laboratory supervisor receives a call from a technologist at a rural hospital. The technologist at the hospital explains that she is having difficulty generating consistent flow rates using their 3 liter calibration syringe for flowrate calibration. The superisor should suggest that the hospital invest in a
A. rotameter
B. mass spectrometer
C. gas chromatograph
D. dosimeter
A. rotameter
Of the choices, only a rotameter is designed to measure flow.
