CBET - Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician Medical Equipment Function Questions and Answers

Question 1

An electrosurgical unit (ESU) is being used in monopolar mode. For the electrical circuit to function correctly and safely, which component is essential to complete the circuit by returning the current to the generator?

Accepted Answer

A dispersive patient return electrode

Answer

In monopolar electrosurgery, the electrical current flows from the active electrode, through the patient's body to the surgical site, and then must be safely returned to the ESU generator. A large dispersive pad, known as the patient return electrode, is placed on the patient's body away from the surgical site to collect the current and complete the circuit, preventing burns at unintended sites.

Question 2

A hemodialysis machine is being used to treat a patient with renal failure. The primary mechanism by which waste products like urea are removed from the blood into the dialysate is:

Accepted Answer

Diffusion

Answer

Hemodialysis primarily relies on diffusion to remove metabolic waste products. These substances, like urea, are in high concentration in the patient's blood and move across the semipermeable dialyzer membrane into the dialysate, where their concentration is low or zero. Ultrafiltration is the primary method for fluid removal, not solute removal.

Question 3

When comparing modern biphasic defibrillators to older monophasic models, what is the primary functional advantage of using a biphasic waveform?

Accepted Answer

It achieves the same or higher defibrillation success at a lower energy level.

Answer

Biphasic waveforms are more effective at terminating ventricular fibrillation because the current flows in one direction and then reverses. This dual-direction shock allows for successful defibrillation using significantly lower energy levels compared to monophasic shocks, which reduces the risk of myocardial injury and skin burns.

Question 4

A technician is explaining the function of an anesthesia machine to a new colleague. What is the primary role of the vaporizer component within the machine?

Accepted Answer

To convert liquid anesthetic agent into a precisely controlled vapor.

Answer

The vaporizer is a critical component of an anesthesia machine designed to change a liquid anesthetic agent into its vapor state and then add a specific, controlled amount of that vapor to the fresh gas flow going to the patient.

Question 5

A new infusion pump is delivered to the hospital. The specifications state it uses a peristaltic mechanism. How does this type of pump move fluid through the IV tubing?

Accepted Answer

By using rotating rollers or 'fingers' to sequentially compress the tubing.

Answer

Peristaltic pumps function by using a set of rotating rollers that press against a flexible tube. As the rollers move along the tube, they create a pocket of fluid that is pushed forward, mimicking the biological process of peristalsis. This mechanism allows for controlled fluid delivery without the pump's components directly contacting the fluid.

CBET - Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician Practice Test

CBET - Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician Practice Test

CBET - Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician Medical Equipment Function Questions and Answers