Laboratory Equipment Flashcards
7 cards from real CABT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Laboratory Equipment flashcards as text
What does the term 'dead volume' refer to in the context of automated liquid handling systems?
Answer: Volume remaining in a well that cannot be aspirated
Dead volume is the residual liquid that cannot be aspirated from a vessel due to the geometry of the tip and container, and must be accounted for in assay planning.
Which electromagnetic spectrum region is used by a spectrophotometer in the 'UV range'?
Answer: 200-400 nm
The ultraviolet (UV) range spans approximately 200-400 nm, below the visible spectrum, and is commonly used to measure nucleic acids and aromatic amino acids.
A biomedical technician is qualifying a new analytical balance. Which weight class is recommended for calibrating Class I analytical balances?
Answer: Class E2 or E1 weights
Class E2 or E1 OIML reference weights provide the accuracy required to calibrate Class I analytical balances used in laboratory settings.
Which safety feature prevents a centrifuge from operating when the lid is open?
Answer: Interlock switch
An interlock switch (lid interlock) is a safety mechanism that disables centrifuge operation whenever the lid is opened, preventing rotor exposure.
In a clinical chemistry analyzer, what is the purpose of a cuvette wash station?
Answer: To remove residual reagents and samples between measurements to prevent carryover
The cuvette wash station removes residual reagents and sample between reactions to minimize carryover error that could affect subsequent test results.
What maintenance schedule is typically recommended for replacing the HEPA filter in a biological safety cabinet (BSC)?
Answer: Annually or when filter resistance exceeds specifications
HEPA filters in BSCs are typically replaced annually or when airflow measurements indicate filter resistance has exceeded the manufacturer's specifications.
A clinical thermometer used in a specimen incubator reads 2°C above the expected set point after calibration. The technician should:
Answer: Adjust the incubator set point to compensate and document the offset
Adjusting the set point to compensate and documenting the calibration offset is the appropriate corrective action when a calibrated thermometer reveals a systematic error.