CBET Infusion Pumps and Medication Delivery Systems

Question 1

A syringe pump generates an 'occlusion downstream' alarm. The patient's IV site appears patent. What is the MOST likely next step for a BMET troubleshooting this pump?

Accepted Answer

Inspect the IV line for kinks, closed clamps, or infiltration at the catheter site

Answer

Increase the occlusion pressure detection threshold in the service menu

Answer

Replace the syringe drive mechanism

Answer

Swap the syringe for a new one of identical brand

Question 2

What is the primary patient safety advantage of a 'smart pump' drug library (DERS — Dose Error Reduction Software) over a standard volumetric infusion pump?

Accepted Answer

Alerting the clinician when a programmed dose falls outside safe soft and hard limits for a specific drug

Answer

Faster priming of the IV tubing

Answer

Automatic recalibration of flow rate accuracy

Answer

Eliminating the need for secondary QC checks by pharmacy

Question 3

A BMET is performing a flow-rate accuracy check on a volumetric infusion pump using gravimetric testing. For most general-purpose volumetric pumps, what is the acceptable accuracy tolerance per manufacturer and AAMI standards?

Accepted Answer

±5%

Answer

±1%

Answer

±10%

Answer

±20%

Question 4

Which component of a peristaltic (linear) infusion pump mechanism most directly controls flow rate accuracy and is the most common wear item requiring replacement or inspection during PM?

Accepted Answer

The peristaltic fingers or cam mechanism and IV tubing segment

Answer

The LCD keypad membrane

Answer

The lithium backup battery

Answer

The upstream pressure sensor

Question 5

A patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump is programmed with a demand dose of 1 mg morphine, a lockout interval of 10 minutes, and a 4-hour limit of 20 mg. A family member is found pressing the PCA button repeatedly on behalf of the patient. Why is this a critical safety concern the BMET should report?

Accepted Answer

The 4-hour limit is the only safety barrier, and rapid button presses by a non-patient can deliver that maximum dose to a patient who may not need it, causing respiratory depression

Answer

It will drain the pump battery faster than normal

Answer

It bypasses the lockout interval because multiple authorized users override the timer

Answer

The pump will alarm and lock down permanently after unauthorized use

Question 6

When calculating an infusion rate for a weight-based norepinephrine drip (e.g., 0.1 mcg/kg/min) for a 70 kg patient using a concentration of 4 mg in 250 mL NS, what is the correct rate in mL/hr?

Accepted Answer

26.25 mL/hr

Answer

10.5 mL/hr

Answer

6.3 mL/hr

Answer

4.2 mL/hr