CCP Oxygenator & Pump Maintenance 4

Question 1

The sweep gas CO2 removal rate in a membrane oxygenator is PRIMARILY controlled by:

Accepted Answer

Total sweep gas flow rate (L/min)

Answer

CO2 is highly diffusible, so its elimination is governed by sweep gas flow rate (the ventilation analog during CPB).

Question 2

Which monitoring value BEST reflects oxygenator CO2 transfer performance during cardiopulmonary bypass?

Accepted Answer

PaCO2 from arterial blood gas sampling

Answer

PaCO2 directly measures how effectively CO2 is being removed from arterial blood exiting the oxygenator.

Question 3

When changing a failed oxygenator during active CPB, which step is MOST critical for patient safety?

Accepted Answer

Ensuring the replacement oxygenator is fully de-aired before resuming flow

Answer

Air remaining in a replacement oxygenator can cause massive systemic air embolism when flow is restored.

Question 4

The venous reservoir hard-shell design differs from a soft-shell venous reservoir primarily in that it:

Accepted Answer

Maintains negative pressure capability and acts as an open system with integrated level monitoring

Answer

Hard-shell reservoirs are open-vented rigid chambers with built-in level indicators and can accept cardiotomy suction; soft-shell reservoirs collapse under negative pressure.

Question 5

Arterial line filters are primarily designed to remove:

Accepted Answer

Microemboli including air, fat, and particulate matter from the arterial circuit

Answer

Arterial line filters (typically 20–40 µm) trap microemboli to protect the patient from cerebral and systemic embolization.

(CCP) Certified Clinical Perfusionist Practice Test

(CCP) Certified Clinical Perfusionist Practice Test

CCP Oxygenator & Pump Maintenance 4