Quality Assurance Protocols Flashcards

A BAT finds an open bottle of alcohol-based hand sanitizer on the testing table. Under QA best practices, the BAT should:

Answer: Remove the sanitizer from the area to prevent potential ambient alcohol interference

Open containers of alcohol-based products can contribute to ambient alcohol levels and should be removed from the testing area to prevent air blank failures.

What is the minimum waiting period before a BAT may begin a confirmation test following a non-negative screening result?

Answer: 15 minutes

A minimum 15-minute waiting period is required before the confirmation test to allow any residual mouth alcohol to dissipate.

During the mandatory 15-minute observation period, the BAT observes the subject eating a breath mint. What is the correct response?

Answer: Restart the 15-minute waiting period

Anything introduced into the mouth during the waiting period may affect results, so the 15-minute observation period must be restarted.

Which of the following best describes the purpose of the mouthpiece in QA terms?

Answer: It ensures a one-way, subject-specific, hygienic breath pathway to prevent cross-contamination

A single-use mouthpiece guarantees a hygienic, contamination-free breath path for each subject and is a critical QA safeguard.

An EBT's battery warning light activates during a test sequence. The BAT should:

Answer: Complete the current test and immediately connect to power or replace the battery

A low battery warning should be addressed after completing the current test but before beginning another, to avoid mid-test power failure that would invalidate results.

What must a BAT do if a subject claims a medical condition prevented a sufficient breath sample from being provided?

Answer: Document the claim and refer the subject for a physician's evaluation

A claimed medical inability to provide a breath sample requires documentation and referral to a physician to determine if a legitimate medical condition exists.

Which of the following constitutes a 'fatal flaw' on an Alcohol Testing Form (ATF) that cannot be corrected and requires the test to be cancelled?

Answer: The BAT failed to sign the certification in Step 4

The BAT's signature in Step 4 is a fatal flaw; its absence means the test result cannot be reported and the test must be cancelled.