Cardiac Surgery Certification Exam Cardiopulmonary Bypass Techniques

Question 1

What is the standard target activated clotting time (ACT) before initiating cardiopulmonary bypass?

Accepted Answer

Greater than 400 seconds

Answer

Greater than 200 seconds

Answer

Greater than 300 seconds

Answer

Greater than 150 seconds

Question 2

Which cannulation site is most commonly used for arterial return during standard cardiopulmonary bypass?

Accepted Answer

Ascending aorta

Answer

Femoral artery

Answer

Axillary artery

Answer

Carotid artery

Question 3

What is the purpose of the cardiotomy reservoir in the CPB circuit?

Accepted Answer

To collect blood suctioned from the operative field

Answer

To oxygenate the blood

Answer

To regulate systemic flow rate

Answer

To warm or cool the perfusate

Question 4

Which type of oxygenator is most commonly used in modern cardiopulmonary bypass circuits?

Accepted Answer

Hollow-fiber membrane oxygenator

Answer

Bubble oxygenator

Answer

Rotating disk oxygenator

Answer

Screen oxygenator

Question 5

What is the typical target mean arterial pressure (MAP) during cardiopulmonary bypass for most adult patients?

Accepted Answer

50–80 mmHg

Answer

30–40 mmHg

Answer

90–110 mmHg

Answer

20–30 mmHg

Question 6

Pulsatile flow during cardiopulmonary bypass is considered beneficial primarily because it:

Accepted Answer

Improves microcirculatory perfusion and reduces systemic vascular resistance

Answer

Decreases the risk of air embolism

Answer

Allows lower heparin dosing

Answer

Reduces the need for hemodilution