CABT Equipment Maintenance and Troubleshooting 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A point-of-care blood glucose meter gives 'ERR' codes when test strips from a new lot are used. The MOST likely cause is:
- Meter battery is low
- Lot-specific calibration code has not been entered into the meter (Correct answer)
- The test strips are expired
- The lancing device depth is incorrect
Correct answer: Lot-specific calibration code has not been entered into the meter
Most POC glucose meters require entry of a lot-specific calibration code or chip to align the meter's algorithm with the new strip lot.
Question 2: When troubleshooting an IV infusion pump that is alarming 'air-in-line' continuously with a bubble-free line, the technician should:
- Fill the IV bag completely to eliminate any air space
- Inspect and clean the air-detection ultrasonic sensor window (Correct answer)
- Increase the alarm sensitivity threshold
- Replace the IV tubing with a smaller bore set
Correct answer: Inspect and clean the air-detection ultrasonic sensor window
False air-in-line alarms are frequently caused by protein or fluid residue on the ultrasonic sensor window, which simulates an air bubble.
Question 3: A patient monitor's SpO2 waveform (plethysmograph) is present but the numeric value reads dashes. This most likely indicates:
- Probe LED failure
- Signal detected but perfusion index is too low for reliable numeric calculation (Correct answer)
- Software crash requiring reboot
- Incorrect alarm limit setting
Correct answer: Signal detected but perfusion index is too low for reliable numeric calculation
When a waveform is visible but no numeric SpO2 is displayed, the signal quality or perfusion index is insufficient for the algorithm to calculate a reliable value.
Question 4: Which action is required before performing internal maintenance on a high-voltage component such as a defibrillator capacitor?
- Wearing latex gloves only
- Discharging the capacitor using the appropriate discharge resistor (Correct answer)
- Removing the device battery
- Unplugging the device from AC power only
Correct answer: Discharging the capacitor using the appropriate discharge resistor
Defibrillator capacitors can hold lethal charges even after AC power is removed; they must be safely discharged through a proper discharge resistor before handling.
Question 5: A nurse reports that an electric hospital bed moves very slowly when raising the head section. The biomedical technician checks voltage at the motor and finds it within spec. What should be investigated next?
- The nurse control panel cable
- Mechanical binding or worn drive mechanism in the bed frame (Correct answer)
- The mattress weight
- The main circuit breaker amperage rating
Correct answer: Mechanical binding or worn drive mechanism in the bed frame
If electrical supply to the motor is correct, slow movement points to a mechanical issue such as friction, binding, or a worn actuator/gearbox.
Question 6: During acceptance testing of a new infusion pump, the biomedical technician discovers the device does not appear on the hospital's equipment management inventory. The correct next step is:
- Place the pump in service immediately since it is new
- Return the pump to the vendor
- Add the device to the inventory with a unique asset tag before placing it in service (Correct answer)
- Defer inventory entry until the first PM is due
Correct answer: Add the device to the inventory with a unique asset tag before placing it in service
All medical devices must be added to the equipment management inventory with a unique identifier before being placed into clinical service to ensure tracking, PM scheduling, and recall management.
Question 7: A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS) unit produces a burning sensation for the patient during use. After ruling out technique error, the technician should:
- Increase the pulse width to distribute current
- Test output waveform and current amplitude against manufacturer specifications (Correct answer)
- Switch to a higher-frequency mode
- Replace the electrodes with larger ones immediately
Correct answer: Test output waveform and current amplitude against manufacturer specifications
A burning sensation may indicate output parameters outside of specifications; testing the actual output waveform and amplitude against manufacturer specs is the proper diagnostic step.
CABT Equipment Maintenance and Troubleshooting 5
A point-of-care blood glucose meter gives 'ERR' codes when test strips from a new lot are used.
The MOST likely cause is: