CET Patient Care & Procedure Assistance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient undergoing an upper endoscopy begins vomiting during the procedure. What is the endoscopy technician's immediate priority?
- Continue suctioning and notify the endoscopist
- Position the patient in Trendelenburg and call a code
- Turn the patient to the left lateral decubitus position and suction the oropharynx (Correct answer)
- Administer antiemetic medication per standing order
Correct answer: Turn the patient to the left lateral decubitus position and suction the oropharynx
Positioning the patient left lateral and suctioning the airway prevents aspiration, the most immediate risk during vomiting in endoscopy.
Question 2: Which informed consent principle requires that a patient understand what will happen during a colonoscopy before agreeing to the procedure?
- Beneficence
- Disclosure (Correct answer)
- Nonmaleficence
- Autonomy
Correct answer: Disclosure
Disclosure requires providing the patient with adequate information about the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives before consent is given.
Question 3: During a conscious sedation procedure, the patient's oxygen saturation drops to 88%. What should the technician do first?
- Increase the IV sedation rate
- Apply supplemental oxygen via nasal cannula or face mask (Correct answer)
- Immediately call a code blue
- Document the reading and continue monitoring
Correct answer: Apply supplemental oxygen via nasal cannula or face mask
Applying supplemental oxygen is the first-line intervention for a desaturation event during procedural sedation.
Question 4: An endoscopy technician is assisting with a pediatric flexible sigmoidoscopy. Compared to adult procedures, which adjustment is most important?
- Using a larger-diameter scope to improve visualization
- Administering higher doses of sedation for cooperation
- Using a pediatric scope and reducing insufflation pressure (Correct answer)
- Skipping the pre-procedure timeout in emergency situations
Correct answer: Using a pediatric scope and reducing insufflation pressure
Pediatric patients require smaller-caliber scopes and lower insufflation pressures due to their smaller anatomy and greater risk of perforation.
Question 5: What is the purpose of placing a bite block during upper endoscopy?
- To prevent the patient from biting the endoscope and injuring the mouth (Correct answer)
- To maintain the patient's airway patency
- To administer topical anesthesia to the oropharynx
- To measure the distance from mouth to stomach
Correct answer: To prevent the patient from biting the endoscope and injuring the mouth
A bite block protects the endoscope from being bitten and prevents oral injury to the patient during the procedure.
Question 6: A patient with a known latex allergy is scheduled for a colonoscopy. Which preparation step is most critical?
- Premedicate with diphenhydramine 30 minutes before the procedure
- Ensure all gloves, equipment, and supplies used are latex-free (Correct answer)
- Postpone the procedure until allergy testing is completed
- Use only single-use disposable accessories during the procedure
Correct answer: Ensure all gloves, equipment, and supplies used are latex-free
A latex-safe environment requires removing all latex-containing items from patient contact, including gloves, tubing, and accessories.
Question 7: During a colonoscopy, the patient reports severe left lower quadrant pain and the monitor shows a sudden rise in insufflation pressure. What complication should be suspected?
- Vasovagal reaction
- Perforation (Correct answer)
- Post-polypectomy syndrome
- Medication-induced hypotension
Correct answer: Perforation
Sudden severe abdominal pain with increased insufflation resistance during colonoscopy is a classic warning sign of bowel perforation.
CET Patient Care & Procedure Assistance 2
A patient undergoing an upper endoscopy begins vomiting during the procedure.
What is the endoscopy technician's immediate priority?