Monitoring Equipment & Technology Flashcards
7 cards from real BCA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Monitoring Equipment & Technology flashcards as text
What does a train-of-four (TOF) ratio of less than 0.9 indicate?
Answer: Residual neuromuscular blockade
A TOF ratio below 0.9 indicates residual neuromuscular blockade and an increased risk of postoperative respiratory complications.
Which agent in the anesthesia machine vaporizer is most likely to cause a hazardous concentration if accidentally placed in the wrong vaporizer?
Answer: Desflurane in a sevoflurane vaporizer
Desflurane has a very high vapor pressure and if placed in a conventional variable-bypass vaporizer, it could deliver a dangerously high concentration.
Which intraoperative monitor is considered the gold standard for detecting venous air embolism?
Answer: Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)
Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is the most sensitive monitor for detecting venous air embolism, capable of detecting very small volumes of air.
A sudden increase in peak airway pressure during volume-controlled ventilation most likely indicates which condition?
Answer: Bronchospasm or endotracheal tube obstruction
A sudden rise in peak airway pressure during volume-controlled ventilation suggests increased airway resistance from bronchospasm, secretions, or tube kinking/obstruction.
Which waveform feature of the arterial pressure tracing reflects systemic vascular resistance?
Answer: Diastolic runoff slope
The diastolic runoff slope (rate of pressure decline after the dicrotic notch) reflects systemic vascular resistance — a steeper runoff indicates lower resistance.
The Clark electrode measures which blood gas component?
Answer: PaO2
The Clark electrode (polarographic electrode) measures PaO2 by detecting the current generated when oxygen is reduced at a platinum cathode.
Which intervention would most reliably improve an unreliable pulse oximetry reading due to motion artifact?
Answer: Apply the probe to the ear lobe or forehead
Moving the probe to a site less subject to motion, such as the ear lobe or forehead, can reduce motion artifact and improve signal reliability.