Equipment Maintenance Flashcards

Which quality control record is most important to review before using a newly repaired pipette?

Answer: Post-repair calibration verification record

A post-repair calibration record confirms the pipette delivers accurate volumes after servicing before it is returned to use.

What is the correct procedure when a laboratory refrigerator temperature exceeds its acceptable range on the daily log?

Answer: Document the excursion, move specimens to a functioning unit, investigate the cause, and notify the supervisor

Specimens must be protected while the cause is identified; documentation and supervisor notification are required by most laboratory quality policies.

A pH meter reads 0.3 units higher than the buffer standard. After replacing the buffer, the error persists. What should be checked next?

Answer: The condition and calibration of the pH electrode

A persistent offset after buffer replacement points to a degraded or improperly stored electrode as the most likely cause.

How often should eyewash stations be flushed according to ANSI Z358.1 guidelines?

Answer: Weekly

ANSI Z358.1 requires eyewash stations to be activated weekly to flush stagnant water and verify proper function.

Which of the following best describes a 'corrective maintenance' event?

Answer: Repairing an instrument after it has failed or produced erroneous results

Corrective maintenance is unplanned servicing performed in response to an equipment failure or quality issue.

A spectrophotometer wavelength accuracy check uses which type of standard?

Answer: Holmium oxide or didymium filter with known absorbance peaks

Holmium oxide and didymium filters have certified absorbance peaks at defined wavelengths, making them the standard choice for wavelength calibration checks.

When should laboratory equipment maintenance records be retained according to CLIA regulations?

Answer: For at least 2 years

CLIA requires maintenance and function check records to be retained for a minimum of 2 years.