HSP Equipment Operation & Maintenance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A psychologist notices their biofeedback system is producing inconsistent electromyography (EMG) readings across sessions. What is the FIRST corrective step?
- Replace the entire biofeedback unit
- Check and clean electrode connections and sensor placement sites (Correct answer)
- Recalibrate the software baseline settings only
- Switch to a different biofeedback modality
Correct answer: Check and clean electrode connections and sensor placement sites
Inconsistent EMG readings most commonly result from poor electrode-skin contact, so inspecting and cleaning connections is the first diagnostic step before considering hardware replacement.
Question 2: Under HIPAA, when decommissioning a computer used for psychological testing, which step is MANDATORY before disposal?
- Remove the monitor and keyboard
- Perform a certified data wipe or physical destruction of the storage drive (Correct answer)
- Uninstall testing software licenses
- Return the device to the manufacturer
Correct answer: Perform a certified data wipe or physical destruction of the storage drive
HIPAA requires that PHI stored on electronic media be rendered irrecoverable through certified wiping or physical destruction before disposal.
Question 3: A telehealth platform used for therapy sessions shows a 2-second audio delay. Which factor is MOST likely causing this latency?
- Outdated webcam firmware
- Insufficient network bandwidth or high packet loss (Correct answer)
- Incorrect screen resolution settings
- Expired SSL certificate on the server
Correct answer: Insufficient network bandwidth or high packet loss
Audio latency in video conferencing is predominantly caused by insufficient bandwidth or network congestion rather than hardware or certificate issues.
Question 4: When conducting neurofeedback therapy, a technician observes 60 Hz electrical noise contaminating the EEG signal. What is the BEST intervention?
- Increase amplifier gain settings
- Apply a notch filter at 60 Hz and check for grounding issues (Correct answer)
- Reduce session duration to minimize artifact accumulation
- Use higher-impedance electrodes
Correct answer: Apply a notch filter at 60 Hz and check for grounding issues
60 Hz artifact is electromagnetic interference from power lines and is best addressed with a notch filter combined with proper equipment grounding.
Question 5: A psychologist using a computerized cognitive assessment battery notices the touchscreen is not registering responses accurately. After restarting fails to resolve the issue, what should be done next?
- Perform touchscreen calibration using the device's built-in utility (Correct answer)
- Replace the assessment software immediately
- Revert to paper-and-pencil format permanently
- Increase the display brightness
Correct answer: Perform touchscreen calibration using the device's built-in utility
Touchscreen calibration through the device's built-in utility corrects misalignment between touch input and display coordinates before escalating to hardware replacement.
Question 6: Which maintenance practice BEST prevents data loss from a psychological testing workstation during a power outage?
- Installing a surge protector only
- Using an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) with automatic voltage regulation (Correct answer)
- Enabling auto-save every 30 minutes in the assessment software
- Storing backup files on an external USB drive weekly
Correct answer: Using an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) with automatic voltage regulation
A UPS provides immediate battery backup and voltage regulation, protecting both the hardware and any in-progress assessment data during a power outage.
Question 7: A portable galvanic skin response (GSR) device used in anxiety assessments shows baseline drift over the course of a session. What is the MOST likely cause?
- Low sampling rate in the data acquisition software
- Temperature-related changes in electrode gel conductivity (Correct answer)
- Incorrect scoring algorithm in the analysis software
- Excessive room lighting affecting the optical sensor
Correct answer: Temperature-related changes in electrode gel conductivity
GSR baseline drift is commonly caused by temperature changes affecting electrode gel conductivity and the electrochemical interface at the skin.
HSP Equipment Operation & Maintenance 2
A psychologist notices their biofeedback system is producing inconsistent electromyography (EMG) readings across sessions.
What is the FIRST corrective step?