BTC Emergency Procedures & Response 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a power outage in the ICU, which medical device requires immediate manual backup operation?
- Infusion pump
- Ventilator (Correct answer)
- Blood pressure monitor
- Pulse oximeter
Correct answer: Ventilator
Ventilators must be manually operated or switched to a backup power source immediately during an outage as patients cannot breathe independently.
Question 2: A biomedical technician discovers a cardiac monitor displaying erratic readings during an emergency. What is the first corrective action?
- Replace the device immediately
- Check all lead connections and electrode placement (Correct answer)
- Reboot the device
- Notify the manufacturer
Correct answer: Check all lead connections and electrode placement
Checking lead connections and electrode placement is the first step as loose or improperly placed leads are the most common cause of erratic cardiac monitor readings.
Question 3: Which standard designates the electrical safety requirements for medical equipment used in emergency settings in the US?
- NFPA 99
- IEC 60601-1 (Correct answer)
- ANSI Z136.1
- ISO 13485
Correct answer: IEC 60601-1
IEC 60601-1 is the primary international standard specifying electrical safety and essential performance requirements for medical electrical equipment.
Question 4: When responding to a code blue, a biomedical technician should ensure the defibrillator is ready by:
- Replacing the battery regardless of charge level
- Verifying charge readiness and performing a test shock into a load (Correct answer)
- Applying new electrode pads only
- Checking the ECG paper supply
Correct answer: Verifying charge readiness and performing a test shock into a load
Verifying charge readiness and performing a test discharge into a test load confirms the defibrillator can deliver the required energy when needed.
Question 5: A suction unit fails during an airway emergency. What immediate alternative should a biomedical technician suggest?
- Manual bulb syringe aspiration (Correct answer)
- Gravity drainage
- Increasing oxygen flow
- Repositioning the patient
Correct answer: Manual bulb syringe aspiration
A manual bulb syringe can provide immediate airway suctioning when powered suction units fail, clearing secretions to maintain a patent airway.
Question 6: During an MRI emergency, why must biomedical technicians avoid bringing ferromagnetic tools into the magnet room?
- They interfere with image quality only
- They can become dangerous projectiles due to the strong magnetic field (Correct answer)
- They cause electrical shorts in the MRI system
- They contaminate the sterile field
Correct answer: They can become dangerous projectiles due to the strong magnetic field
Ferromagnetic objects are violently attracted to the MRI magnet and can become high-velocity projectiles, posing a lethal risk to patients and staff.
Question 7: What does the term 'safe failure fraction (SFF)' relate to in medical device emergency reliability?
- Percentage of failures that are detected or safe (Correct answer)
- Rate of device recall by the FDA
- Battery backup duration during emergencies
- Frequency of preventive maintenance cycles
Correct answer: Percentage of failures that are detected or safe
Safe failure fraction is the proportion of total failure modes that are either detected by diagnostics or result in a safe output state, used in functional safety assessments.
BTC Emergency Procedures & Response 2
During a power outage in the ICU, which medical device requires immediate manual backup operation?