Equipment Operation - Notes

Question 1

What are the 2 choices of carrier gas in a gas chromatograph analyzer?

Answer 1

Usually helium. Neon is used when measuring lung volumes and diffusing capacity.

Question 2

What gases does a gas chromatograph measure? How?

Answer 2

Ne - neon
O2 - oxygen
N2 - nitrogen
CO - carbon monoxide

The gases move through a separator column which makes the molecules exit at different speeds depending on their size.

Question 3

Is gas chromatography capable of breath by breath analysis?

Answer 3

Yes. It is fast.

Question 4

Is mass spectrometry faster than gas chromatography?

Answer 4

Yes.

Question 5

Is mass spectrometry capable of breath by breath analysis?

Answer 5

Yes.

Question 6

A separator column is associated with what?

Answer 6

Gas chromatograph

Question 7

“infrared” and “chopper motor” are associated with what type of equipment?

Answer 7

Infrared absorption analyzer

Question 8

What gases does an infrared analyzer measure?

Answer 8

CO, CO2, and methane (CH4)

Question 9

Which type of lung test is best analyzed with an infrared absorption analyzer?

Answer 9

DLCO.

Question 10

How do you calibrate an infrared analyzer?

Answer 10

Calibrate to room air and a known CO concentration (0.3%) then re-zero.

Question 11

“thermal conductivity” “wheatstone bridge” are associated with what gas?

Answer 11

Helium.

Note: helium is inert and you should never use flammable gases for thermal conductivity.

Question 12

A geissler tube ionizer is associated with what gas?

Answer 12

Nitrogen

Question 13

Can a geissler tube ionizer provide breath by breath analysis?

Answer 13

Yes. It is fast.

Question 14

How do you calibrate a geissler tube ionizer for nitrogen measurement?

Answer 14

Calibrate to zero N2 by using 100% oxygen, and then with a known nitrogen concentration.

Question 15

What blood gas analyzer electrode measures PCO2?

Answer 15

The Severinghaus electrode measures PCO2 in blood gas analyzers.

Question 16

A Severinghaus electrode contains a ___ spacer and a ___ membrane.

Answer 16

A Severinghaus electrode contains a NYLON spacer and a TEFLON membrane.

Question 17

Platinum cathode
Silver-silver anode
Polypropylene membrane
Polarizing voltage
Pumice for cleaning (because polypropylene attracts protein)

What electrode is associated with the terms above?

Answer 17

The Clark electrode, which measures O2.

Question 18

Clark electrode:

What type of membrane will result in insufficient diffusion of oxygen?

Answer 18

A mylar membrane

Question 19

Which electrode measures pH and requires a potassium chloride buffer (KCl)?

Answer 19

The Sanz electrode measures pH and requires a KCl buffer.

Question 20

What are the 2 electrodes contained within the Sanz electrode?

Answer 20

The reference electrode and the measurement electrode. The difference in voltage between both is proportional to the pH difference.

Question 21

What are the balance and slope (aka low and high) calibration values for pH on a blood gas analyzer?

Answer 21

Low value is 6.840

High value is 7.384

Question 22

What are the PCO2 calibration values (low and high) for a blood gas analyzer?

Answer 22

Low value is 5%

High value is 10%

Question 23

Name 2 CO2 scrubbers

Answer 23

Sodium hydroxide (NaOH)
Barium hydroxide (BaOH2)

Question 24

Sodium hydroxide changes from what color to what color when new/exhausted?

Answer 24

from light brown to white, or cream to violet

Question 25

Barium hydroxide changes from what color to what color when new/exhausted?

Answer 25

Barium hydroxide starts white and goes purple when exhausted.

Question 26

What do CO2 scrubbers produce when converting CO2?

Answer 26

Water. You should always place a dessicant (calcium sulfate "CaSO4" or "Drierite") After the CO2 scrubber to soak up the moisture.

Question 27

A Fleisch pneumotachometer is also known as a ___ ___ tachometer, and is better choice than a Wright respirometer.

Answer 27

Pressure differential tachometer.

Question 28

A pediatric (aka, low range) peak flow meter measures what range of flows? An adult (aka, high range) peak flow meter measures what range of flows?

Answer 28

300 - 400 L for peds/low range 600 - 800 L for adults/high range

Question 29

How often should you calibrate a volume measuring spirometer according to the ATS-ERS standards?

Answer 29

Daily.

Question 30

What is the ideal breathing pattern when using an SVN?

Answer 30

Slow deep inhalation with a brief breath hold, followed by a passive exhalation.

Question 31

If a patient cannot correctly use an MDI, what type of device should you recommend?

Answer 31

An SVN.

Question 32

A properly calibrated ECG should produce a __mm deflection with 1 millivolt, and should travel at a paper speed of __mm a second.

Answer 32

1 millivolt should produce a 10mm deflection (1cm) on an ECG tracing, and the paper speed should be at 25mm/sec.

Question 33

Why is lead II the best lead?

Answer 33

It fires down and to the left, just like natural electrical conductance in the heart.

Question 34

Where are the negative and positive electrodes in lead II (aka the best lead)?

Answer 34

Right arm is negative Left leg is positive current flows from negative to positive

Question 35

What "V" is the best chest lead? Why?

Answer 35

V5. It sits directly on top of the left ventricle.

Question 36

A water barometer is also known as a ___

Answer 36

U-tube

Question 37

Information systems equipment: A ___ takes a flow signal and turns it into a volume

Answer 37

Integrator

Question 38

This chemical method of disinfection and sterilization is preferred for flexible bronchoscopes and reusable plastics (mouthpeices, tubing, nebulizers, humidifiers.)

Answer 38

What is Cidex (Alkaline glutaraldehyde)

Question 39

This chemical method of disinfection and sterilization is best used for blood spills.

Answer 39

What is bleach.

Question 40

Do not answer, just note the following: Physical methods of disinfection and cleaning such as: Steam autoclave Pasteurization Incineration Irradiation Are always the wrong answer on the exam.

Answer 40

Don't forget...