CBET Preventive Maintenance and Calibration 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which document typically defines the required PM interval for a medical device in a US hospital?
- Manufacturer's service manual (Correct answer)
- Hospital billing records
- Patient intake form
- State pharmacy license
Correct answer: Manufacturer's service manual
The manufacturer's service manual specifies recommended PM intervals and procedures that biomed departments use to build their maintenance schedules.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of calibrating a clinical thermometer used in patient care?
- To verify its accuracy against a known reference standard (Correct answer)
- To extend battery life
- To sterilize the probe
- To reduce electromagnetic interference
Correct answer: To verify its accuracy against a known reference standard
Calibration compares the device's output to a traceable reference standard to confirm accuracy within acceptable tolerances.
Question 3: Which organization publishes ANSI/AAMI standards relevant to biomedical equipment maintenance in the US?
- Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) (Correct answer)
- American Dental Association (ADA)
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Correct answer: Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI)
AAMI publishes consensus standards and technical information reports widely used by biomedical engineers for equipment maintenance and safety.
Question 4: A BMET is performing a PM on an infusion pump. Which test is most critical for patient safety?
- Flow rate accuracy test (Correct answer)
- Keypad illumination check
- Speaker volume check
- Label legibility inspection
Correct answer: Flow rate accuracy test
Flow rate accuracy directly affects drug dosing; an out-of-tolerance pump can deliver under- or over-doses with life-threatening consequences.
Question 5: What does 'equipment management inventory' primarily track in a biomed program?
- Every device's location, PM schedule, and service history (Correct answer)
- Staff vacation schedules
- Patient discharge times
- Hospital supply chain pricing
Correct answer: Every device's location, PM schedule, and service history
A complete inventory ties each device to its asset number, location, PM due date, and maintenance history to ensure no device is missed.
Question 6: Which electrical safety test measures the current that could flow through a patient connected to a device?
- Patient leakage current test (Correct answer)
- Ground resistance test
- Insulation resistance test
- Line voltage measurement
Correct answer: Patient leakage current test
Patient leakage current testing measures stray current that could pass through a patient, per ANSI/AAMI ES60601-1 limits.
CBET Preventive Maintenance and Calibration 1
Which document typically defines the required PM interval for a medical device in a US hospital?