SECTION 7 - PATIENT CARE EQUIPMENT Flashcards
Why is it necessary for a Central Service Technician to have a thorough understanding of how different types of patient care equipment function?
A. To be able to operate the equipment during a patient emergency
B. To provide technical support to medical staff
C. To ensure proper cleaning, maintenance, and safe handling of the equipment
D. To assist in the purchase and procurement of new equipment
The correct answer is C. To ensure proper cleaning, maintenance, and safe handling of the equipment
Explanation: A Central Service Technician’s primary responsibility is to ensure proper cleaning, maintenance, and safe handling of patient care equipment (C). While they may occasionally provide technical support (B) and could potentially contribute to the purchase of new equipment (D), these are not their primary roles. Operating the equipment during a patient emergency (A) is generally the responsibility of medical staff.
You are working as a CRCST in a busy hospital. A new model of patient care equipment has arrived, but the Manufacturer’s Instructions for Use (IFU) are only available in digital format, and the central service department’s computer system is currently down for maintenance. What is the most appropriate action?
A. Try to operate the equipment based on your past experiences
B. Wait until the computer system is back up to access the IFU
C. Ask a coworker to guess how the equipment might work
D. Access the IFU on a different device or request a hard copy from the manufacturer
The correct answer is D. Access the IFU on a different device or request a hard copy from the manufacturer. In this situation, it’s important not to guess or use the equipment without proper understanding of its operation (A and C). Waiting for the computer system may delay necessary patient care (B). The safest and most professional course of action is to access the IFU by other means (D).
A CSSD has recently implemented a computer-based system to track and manage patient care equipment. A veteran technician, who was highly proficient with the old manual system, is struggling to adapt. He often forgets to record transactions or makes errors during data entry. How should the CSSD supervisor handle this situation?
A. Immediately transfer the technician to a less challenging role.
B. Report the technician to hospital management for inadequate performance.
C. Arrange for additional training and support for the technician to adapt to the new system.
D. Revert to the old manual system to accommodate the technician.
The correct answer is C. Arrange for additional training and support for the technician to adapt to the new system. Instead of taking drastic steps such as transferring the technician or reporting him (options A and B), or reverting back to the old system (option D), it would be more effective to provide additional training and support to help the technician adapt to the new system.
How should a Central Service Technician manage a piece of patient care equipment that has been used on a patient with a highly contagious disease?
A. The equipment should be discarded after use
B. The equipment should be cleaned and disinfected in the same way as any other equipment
C. The equipment should be placed in a biohazard bag and sent for sterilization
D. The equipment should be quarantined and then thoroughly cleaned and disinfected
The correct answer is D. The equipment should be quarantined and then thoroughly cleaned and disinfected
Explanation: To prevent the spread of infection, equipment used on a patient with a highly contagious disease should be quarantined before it is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected (D). While biohazard bags and sterilization (C) could be part of the process, quarantining is an important first step. Discarding the equipment (A) would be wasteful and is often unnecessary. The same cleaning procedures (B) may not be sufficient for such situations.
A Central Service Technician is assigned to clean a recently used ventilator. Which of the following steps should the technician NOT take in this process?
A. Wiping down the exterior of the ventilator with a hospital-approved disinfectant
B. Submerging the entire ventilator in a disinfectant solution
C. Detaching and disinfecting the tubing and masks separately
D. Inspecting the ventilator for any damages or malfunctions
The correct answer is B. Submerging the entire ventilator in a disinfectant solution
Explanation: While all parts of the ventilator should be cleaned and disinfected, submerging the entire ventilator in a disinfectant solution (B) could damage its electrical and mechanical components. Hence, this step should not be taken. All other steps (A, C, D) are necessary in the cleaning and maintenance process.
While cleaning a patient’s IV pump, the Central Service Technician notices a minor mechanical fault. What is the most appropriate action to take?
A. Continue cleaning and ignore the fault
B. Try to fix the fault himself
C. Notify the biomedical engineering department immediately
D. Put a note on the pump about the fault and put it back into service
The correct answer is C. Notify the biomedical engineering department immediately
Explanation: The technician should immediately notify the biomedical engineering department (C) if a mechanical fault is noticed. Trying to fix the fault himself (B) is not recommended unless the technician is qualified to do so. Ignoring the fault (A) or just leaving a note (D) could lead to the pump malfunctioning while in use, potentially causing harm to the patient.
If the temperature in the sterile storage area is slightly above the recommended range, but the humidity is within the acceptable parameters, it’s safe to continue storing sterile items there without any changes.
True
False
The correct answer is False. Both temperature and humidity are important for maintaining the sterility of items. Even if the humidity is within the acceptable range, a temperature above the recommended range could potentially compromise the sterility of items stored in the area. It’s essential to maintain both temperature and humidity within the recommended ranges to ensure safe and effective storage.
A Central Service Technician is asked to prepare a defibrillator for use in an emergency. Which of the following is the most critical step in this process?
A. Ensuring that the battery is fully charged
B. Checking the date of the last maintenance inspection
C. Confirming the device’s operational settings
D. Verifying that the device is properly cleaned
The correct answer is A. Ensuring that the battery is fully charged
Explanation: All the given steps are crucial, but ensuring that the battery is fully charged (A) is the most critical when preparing a defibrillator for use. In an emergency situation, a defibrillator without power could have severe, life-threatening consequences.
What is the best way for a Central Service Technician to learn about the specific cleaning and maintenance procedures for a new piece of patient care equipment?
A. By trial and error
B. By consulting the manufacturer’s instructions
C. By asking other technicians
D. By observing the equipment in use
The correct answer is B. By consulting the manufacturer’s instructions
Explanation: Manufacturer’s instructions (B) are the most reliable source of information about the specific cleaning and maintenance procedures for a new piece of equipment. While asking other technicians (C) and observing the equipment in use (D) can provide valuable insights, these methods may not provide complete or accurate information. Trial and error (A) could lead to damages or improper maintenance.
If humidity levels exceed the acceptable range in the sterile processing department, which of the following corrective actions should be taken first?
A. Notify the department head
B. Adjust the humidity control system
C. Evacuate the department
D. Stop all sterilization processes
The correct answer is A. If humidity levels exceed the acceptable range in the sterile processing department, the first corrective action should be to notify the department head. The department head is in the best position to coordinate the response to this problem, including notifying maintenance personnel or adjusting operations as needed. Options B, C, and D might be potential actions, but are typically directed by the department head or other leadership.
