CBET Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CBET facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What principle does an ultrasound imaging system use to create images of internal body structures? → Piezoelectric transducer emitting and receiving high-frequency sound waves
2. Which of the following best describes the function of an optocoupler (optoisolator) in medical equipment? → Transmitting signals between circuits while maintaining electrical isolation
3. What forces drive the kidneys' filtration? → Blood pressure
4. Which standard governs the safe use of electrical equipment in patient care areas in US hospitals? → NFPA 99
5. An infusion pump displays a 'door open' alarm even though the door is fully closed and latched. What troubleshooting approach should you take first? → Inspect the door latch mechanism and door switch for mechanical wear or debris
6. A flash sterilization cycle (immediate-use steam sterilization) at 132°C in a pre-vacuum sterilizer requires a minimum exposure time of: → 4 minutes
7. How should a biomedical technician verify that a repaired medical gas outlet is delivering the correct gas before returning it to service? → Use a gas-specific analyzer to verify gas identity, then test flow rate and pressure
8. A washer-disinfector used for surgical instrument reprocessing must achieve what temperature during the thermal disinfection phase to meet A0 600 standard? → 90°C for 1 minute
9. Which part of the nervous system controls involuntary functions such as heart rate and digestion? → Autonomic nervous system
10. Which of the following features is exclusive to invasive blood pressure measurement as opposed to non-invasive? → Hypotensive blood pressure can be monitored
11. In troubleshooting a medical device power supply, you measure 0V DC output but 120V AC input is present. Which component is most likely failed? → Bridge rectifier or filter capacitor
12. A patient is connected to an ECG monitor. The waveform displayed represents the electrical activity of which organ system? → Cardiovascular system
13. In ultrasound imaging, what physical principle allows tissue boundaries to be visualized? → Reflection of sound waves at acoustic impedance mismatches
14. A pulse oximeter reads 94% SpO2 but a co-oximeter blood gas shows 99%. What is the most likely cause? → The SpO2 probe needs cleaning or replacement
15. What does HIPAA require regarding the transmission of electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI) over a network? → ePHI must be encrypted during transmission using appropriate safeguards
16. What type of hypo/hyperthermia machine uses which thermoregulation technique? → Heating and cooling blankets
17. Which imaging modality uses radiofrequency pulses and a strong magnetic field rather than ionizing radiation? → MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
18. What is the function of a fetal monitor and what two primary parameters does it continuously measure? → Fetal heart rate (FHR) and uterine contraction activity (tocometry)
19. Which JCAHO/TJC standard requires hospitals to maintain a medical equipment management plan? → EC.02.04.01
20. When performing preventive maintenance on an autoclave, what should the BIOMED technician check first after a reported cycle abort? → The printout or cycle log for the fault code
21. What is the purpose of a ground wire (green or green/yellow) in a medical device power cord? → To provide a low-impedance fault current path to trip the circuit breaker
22. Which Spaulding classification category requires sterilization rather than just high-level disinfection? → Critical items
23. What parameter does capnography monitor and what is the normal end-tidal CO2 (EtCO2) range for a healthy adult? → Exhaled carbon dioxide concentration, 35-45 mmHg
24. Which type of muscle tissue is found exclusively in the walls of the heart? → Cardiac muscle
25. Which of the following MOST accurately describes the hematocrit centrifuge's relative centrifugal force (RFC)? → 10,000 RCF
26. What does 'kVp' control in an X-ray generator? → Penetrating power (energy) of the X-ray beam
27. What is the primary purpose of calibrating a clinical thermometer used in patient care? → To verify its accuracy against a known reference standard
28. What is the maximum allowable leakage current for a Type CF (cardiac floating) applied part according to IEC 60601-1? → 10 microamps
29. What does 'acoustic coupling gel' accomplish in ultrasound imaging? → It eliminates air gaps between the transducer and skin to prevent signal reflection loss
30. What does the HL7 standard primarily define in healthcare IT? → Messaging standards for exchanging clinical and administrative data between systems