General Practice Flashcards

A pulse oximeter reads 98% SpO2 but the patient appears cyanotic. Which condition MOST likely explains this discrepancy?

Answer: Carbon monoxide poisoning causing carboxyhemoglobin

Pulse oximetry cannot distinguish carboxyhemoglobin from oxyhemoglobin, so CO poisoning produces falsely elevated SpO2 readings despite true hypoxia.

The primary purpose of a Faraday cage in a medical imaging suite is to:

Answer: Prevent external RF signals from interfering with MRI signals

A Faraday cage blocks external radiofrequency signals that would interfere with the extremely weak MRI signals being detected.

When calibrating a patient scale used for medication dosing, a biomedical technician should use NIST-traceable weights primarily to:

Answer: Ensure measurements are accurate relative to a national standard

NIST-traceable weights provide an unbroken chain of calibration to national standards, ensuring measurement accuracy and regulatory compliance.

In a 3-phase electrical system supplying medical imaging equipment, an open neutral conductor would MOST likely cause:

Answer: Overvoltage on some phases damaging connected equipment

An open neutral in a 3-phase system causes voltage imbalance, resulting in overvoltage on some phases that can damage connected equipment.

A surgical electrosurgical unit (ESU) causes interference on a nearby patient monitor. The FIRST corrective action should be:

Answer: Check and ensure proper placement and contact of the ESU dispersive electrode

Improper dispersive electrode placement causes high-frequency current to seek alternate paths, creating interference in nearby monitoring equipment.

Which parameter is checked during an acceptance test for a defibrillator to verify energy delivery accuracy?

Answer: Delivered energy measured with a calibrated defibrillator analyzer

A calibrated defibrillator analyzer measures actual delivered energy into a known load, verifying the device delivers the energy it displays.

Which law governs the relationship between pressure, volume, and temperature for an ideal gas, relevant to medical gas cylinders?

Answer: The Combined Gas Law (Boyle's + Charles' Laws)

The Combined Gas Law (P1V1/T1 = P2V2/T2) describes how pressure, volume, and temperature interrelate in gas cylinders used in medical settings.