Equipment Operation B: O2 and CO2 Analyzers

Question 1

The Severinghaus Electrode measures ___.

It consists of a ___ membrane spacer and a ___ membrane.

Answer 1

PCO2

Nylon, Teflon

Question 2

The Clark Electrode measures ___.

It consists of a ___ membrane spacer. Do not use a ___ membrane.

Answer 2

PO2.

Polypropylene membrane / mylar membrane.

Question 3

The Clark electrode uses a ___ cathode and a ___ anode. You clean the Clark electrode with ___.

Answer 3

Platinum, Silver

Pumice

Question 4

The Sanz electrode is actually two electrodes: one is the ___ electrode and the other is the ___ electrode.

Answer 4

Reference electrode and measuring electrode.

Question 5

A blood gas analyzer measures ___, ___, and ___. All other values are calculated.

Answer 5

PCO2, PO2, and pH.

Question 6

When using CO2 to calibrate equipment, you will have two CO2 tanks. The low tank will contain ___% CO2 and the other will contain ___% CO2.

Answer 6

5% for low tank.

10% for high tank.

Question 7

What’s the equation to convert percentage of oxygen into mmHg?

Answer 7

PB-PH2O x Fractional Concentration of Gas
Or
(760-47) x (gas concentration percentage as a decimal)
Should equal the same as the PO2 digital readout.

Question 8

When you’re calibrating gases, and you get unstable readings, consider ___.

Answer 8

Worn or ruptured membranes.

Question 9

When you’re calibrating gases and there’s a clot on the membrane, you should insert ___ into the machine and then do two ___ .

Answer 9

Protein remover

2 rinse cycles

Question 10

When you’re calibrating gases and you get a noisy or erratic reading, consider ___.
Before you do this, you have to check ___.

Answer 10

Re-membraning the electrodes.

Levels of solutions in gas cylinders to make sure they’re not low or empty.

Question 11

There are three types of oxygen analyzers. What are they?

Answer 11

Polargraphic, Galvanic, and Zirconium.

Question 12

You’re going to use an oxygen analyzer for exercise testing. You’re going to measure FeO2. When calibrating, ___ will be your high point and ___ will be your low point.

Answer 12

High: 21%
Low: 12-14%

Question 13

If you’re having a problem with an oxygen analyzer, the best choice is ___. Polargraphic oxygen analyzer may require you to check ___.

Answer 13

Replace the fuel cell.

Check level of electrolyte or humidity.

Question 14

What is tonometry used for?

Answer 14

Quality control of blood gas analyzers.

Question 15

Galvanic fuel cell / Zirconium fuel cell oxygen analyzers and the polargraphic oxygen analyzers will display a percentage, but it’s not actually measuring the percentage of oxygen. It’s measuring ___.

Answer 15

Pressure of oxygen. (So if you go up or down in altitude it will be different.)

Question 16

To measure FiO2 using an oxygen analyzer, you need a __ point calibration.

Answer 16

2

Question 17

FeO2 is measurement of expired oxygen. When is this used?

Answer 17

Exercise testing.

Question 18

For exercise testing using a galvanic fuel cell / zirconium fuel cell oxygen analyzer, you have to calibrate it. The low calibration point is ___ to ___ and the high point is ___. This is the typical range of expired O2 during exercise.

Answer 18

12-14% low

21% high

Question 19

If you can’t calibrate a galvanic fuel cell / zirconium fuel cell oxygen analyzer, try this:

Answer 19

Replace the cell.

Question 20

What is the fastest responding oxygen analyzer?

Answer 20

Galvanic fuel cell / zirconium fuel cell oxygen analyzer

Question 21

What oxygen analyzer utilizes a clark electrode?

Answer 21

The polarographic oxygen analyzer.

Question 22

What is tonometry?

Answer 22

It’s a method used for quality control of blood gas analyzers.

Question 23

All breathing valves should have these features:

Answer 23

Low dead space
Low compliance
Low resistance
Easy to clean design.

Question 24

How can you tell how much deadspace is in a valve?

Answer 24

Fill it with water.

Question 25

When should you replace CO2 Absorber (scrubber)?

Answer 25

When exhausted, when color changes, or weekly. (It turns CO2 into water)

Question 26

When is CO2 scrubber needed?

Answer 26

When CO2 is rebreathed.

Question 27

How can you tell when the CO2 scrubber needs to be replaced?

Answer 27

Color change from light brown to white or cream to violet

Patient also complains of being hot or tachypnic

Question 28

How do you place absorbers?

Answer 28

CO2 absorber: First
Dessiccant: Second
Analyzer: Third

Question 29

What does a desiccant absorb?

Answer 29

Water

Question 30

How do you know if trhe desiccant is used up?

Answer 30

Changes from blue to pink.

Question 31

What is permapure tubing?

Answer 31

It humidifies or de-humidifies air to ambient humidity.