BCA Monitoring Equipment & Technology 2

Question 1

Which component of a capnograph waveform corresponds to alveolar plateau?

Accepted Answer

Phase III

Answer

Phase III of the capnograph waveform represents the alveolar plateau, where exhaled CO2 reaches its maximum concentration.

Question 2

What does a sudden decrease in end-tidal CO2 to near zero most likely indicate?

Accepted Answer

Esophageal intubation

Answer

A sudden drop of ETCO2 to near zero strongly suggests esophageal intubation, as the esophagus produces no CO2.

Question 3

The anesthesia machine's oxygen flush valve delivers oxygen at approximately what flow rate?

Accepted Answer

35-75 L/min

Answer

The oxygen flush valve delivers a high flow of 35-75 L/min to rapidly fill the breathing circuit with oxygen.

Question 4

Which alarm condition is indicated by a sustained loss of airway pressure in a mechanically ventilated patient?

Accepted Answer

Circuit disconnection

Answer

A sustained loss of airway pressure in a mechanically ventilated patient most commonly indicates circuit disconnection.

Question 5

In a pulse oximeter, which wavelengths of light are used to differentiate oxyhemoglobin from deoxyhemoglobin?

Accepted Answer

660 nm and 940 nm

Answer

Pulse oximeters use red light (660 nm) and infrared light (940 nm) because oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin absorb these wavelengths differently.

(BCA) Board of Certification in Anesthesiology Practice Test