Question 1

Factors contributing to imprecision (random) errors during blood gas analysis include all of the following except:

Accepted Answer

A) sample contamination 
B) contaminated buffers 
C) statistical probability 
D) sample mishandling

Question 2

What is the most common technique used to measure CO2 in respiratory gases?

Accepted Answer

A) infrared absorption 
B) mass spectroscopy 
C) photoacoustics 
D) Raman scattering

Question 3

To measure PCO2, blood gas analyzers use what electrode?

Accepted Answer

A) Severinghaus 
B) Clark 
C) Sahn 
D) White

Question 4

The total instrument error (inaccuracy) of a blood gas analyzer equals which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A) bias + imprecision 
B) imprecision + random error 
C) bias + systematic error 
D) trend error + bias

Question 5

Transcutaneous blood gas monitoring is indicated when what need exists?
I.to continuously analyze gas exchange in infants or children
II.to quantify the real-time responses to bedside interventions
III.to continuously monitor for hyperoxia in newborn infants

Accepted Answer

A) I and II 
B) I and III 
C) II and III 
D) I, II, and III

Question 6

What is the process of testing a new blood gas analyzer to confirm a manufacturer's claims?

Accepted Answer

A) automated calibration 
B) performance validation 
C) proficiency testing 
D) preventive maintenance

Question 7

You return to a patient's room 20 minutes after drawing an ABG. Which of the following should you check at this time?
I.puncture site for hematoma
II.adequacy of distal circulation
III.prothrombin or partial thromboplastin times

Accepted Answer

A) I and II 
B) I and III 
C) II and III 
D) I, II, and III

Question 8

What is the greatest hazard of pulse oximetry?

Accepted Answer

A) false results leading to incorrect decisions 
B) pressure sores at the measuring site 
C) skin burns due to using incompatible probes 
D) electrical shock at the measuring site

Question 9

Which of the following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) barrier precautions would you use when obtaining an arterial blood gas (ABG) through percutaneous puncture?
I.gloves
II.protective eyewear
III.gown or apron

Accepted Answer

A) I and II 
B) I and III 
C) II and III 
D) I, II, and III

Question 10

Which of the following is false about invasive versus noninvasive monitoring?

Accepted Answer

A) Invasive procedures require insertion of a device into the body. 
B) Laboratory analysis of gas exchange is usually noninvasive in nature. 
C) Physiologic monitoring can be either invasive or noninvasive. 
D) Invasive procedures provide more accurate data but carry greater risks.

Question 11

When is capillary blood gas sampling indicated?

Accepted Answer

A) There is a need for direct analysis of blood oxygenation. 
B) Normal noninvasive monitor readings need to be checked. 
C) ABG analysis is needed, but arterial access is not available. 
D) Continuous data on patient ventilation status are needed.

Question 12

Under ideal conditions, pulse oximeter readings patients usually fall in what range of those obtained with invasive hemoximetry?

Accepted Answer

A) 1% to 2% 
B) 2% to 3% 
C) 3% to 5% 
D) 5% to 7%

Question 13

What is the quality control procedure of analysis and reporting on externally provided control media with unknown values?

Accepted Answer

A) automated calibration 
B) performance validation 
C) proficiency testing 
D) preventive maintenance

Question 14

When performing a percutaneous needle puncture of the radial artery, you get only a small spurt of blood. Which of the following is the best action at this time?

Accepted Answer

A) Slowly withdraw the needle until a pulsatile flow fills the syringe. 
B) Pull out entirely, use a different angle and then reinsert it. 
C) Slowly advance the needle until a pulsatile flow fills the syringe. 
D) Repeat the procedure with a fresh blood gas kit.

Question 15

You obtain an SpO2 reading of 90% using an oximeter with an approximate accuracy of 5%. This could indicate a PO2 as low as what level?

Accepted Answer

A) 55 mm Hg 
B) 60 mm Hg 
C) 65 mm Hg 
D) 70 mm Hg

Question 16

You obtain an SpO2 reading of 100% on a patient receiving O2 through a nonrebreathing mask. What range of PaO2 levels is possible in this patient?

Accepted Answer

A) 60 to 90 mm Hg 
B) 90 to 100 mm Hg 
C) 100 to 200 mm Hg 
D) 100 to 600 mm Hg

Question 17

A patient being monitored by capnography exhibits a sudden rise in end-tidal CO2 levels. All of the following are possible causes of this change except:

Accepted Answer

A) sudden release of a tourniquet 
B) massive pulmonary embolism 
C) sudden increase in cardiac output 
D) injection of NaHCO3

Question 18

Analysis of an arterial blood sample taken from a healthy athlete reveals a pH of 7.36, a PCO2 of 45 mm Hg, and a PO2 of 43 mm Hg. Which of the following analytic errors should you suspect?

Accepted Answer

A) excessive time since sample collection 
B) exposure of the blood sample to air 
C) excessive heparin in the sample 
D) sample admixture with venous blood

Question 19

Why is the radial artery the preferred site for arterial blood sampling?
I.It is near the surface and easy to palpate and stabilize.
II.The ulnar artery normally provides good collateral circulation.
III.The radial artery is not near any large veins.

Accepted Answer

A) I and II 
B) I and III 
C) II and III 
D) I, II, and III

Question 20

Which of the following changes would occur if an arterial blood sample of a patient breathing room air were exposed to a large air bubble?
I.decreased PCO2
II.decreased pH
III.increased PO2

Accepted Answer

A) I and II 
B) I and III 
C) II and III 
D) I, II, and III

Exam 18: Analysis and Monitoring of Gas Exchange

Factors contributing to imprecision (random) errors during blood gas analysis include all of the following except:

What is the most common technique used to measure CO₂in respiratory gases?

To measure PCO₂, blood gas analyzers use what electrode?

The total instrument error (inaccuracy) of a blood gas analyzer equals which of the following?

Transcutaneous blood gas monitoring is indicated when what need exists? I.to continuously analyze gas exchange in infants or children II.to quantify the real-time responses to bedside interventions III.to continuously monitor for hyperoxia in newborn infants

What is the process of testing a new blood gas analyzer to confirm a manufacturer's claims?

You return to a patient's room 20 minutes after drawing an ABG. Which of the following should you check at this time? I.puncture site for hematoma II.adequacy of distal circulation III.prothrombin or partial thromboplastin times

What is the greatest hazard of pulse oximetry?

Which of the following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) barrier precautions would you use when obtaining an arterial blood gas (ABG) through percutaneous puncture? I.gloves II.protective eyewear III.gown or apron

Which of the following is false about invasive versus noninvasive monitoring?

When is capillary blood gas sampling indicated?

Under ideal conditions, pulse oximeter readings patients usually fall in what range of those obtained with invasive hemoximetry?

What is the quality control procedure of analysis and reporting on externally provided control media with unknown values?

When performing a percutaneous needle puncture of the radial artery, you get only a small spurt of blood. Which of the following is the best action at this time?

You obtain an SpO₂ reading of 90% using an oximeter with an approximate accuracy of 5%. This could indicate a PO₂ as low as what level?

You obtain an SpO₂reading of 100% on a patient receiving O₂through a nonrebreathing mask. What range of PaO₂ levels is possible in this patient?

A patient being monitored by capnography exhibits a sudden rise in end-tidal CO₂ levels. All of the following are possible causes of this change except:

Analysis of an arterial blood sample taken from a healthy athlete reveals a pH of 7.36, a PCO₂of 45 mm Hg, and a PO₂ of 43 mm Hg. Which of the following analytic errors should you suspect?

Why is the radial artery the preferred site for arterial blood sampling? I.It is near the surface and easy to palpate and stabilize. II.The ulnar artery normally provides good collateral circulation. III.The radial artery is not near any large veins.

Which of the following changes would occur if an arterial blood sample of a patient breathing room air were exposed to a large air bubble? I.decreased PCO₂ II.decreased pH III.increased PO₂

Exam 18: Analysis and Monitoring of Gas Exchange

Factors contributing to imprecision (random) errors during blood gas analysis include all of the following except:

What is the most common technique used to measure CO2 in respiratory gases?

To measure PCO2, blood gas analyzers use what electrode?

The total instrument error (inaccuracy) of a blood gas analyzer equals which of the following?

Transcutaneous blood gas monitoring is indicated when what need exists? I.to continuously analyze gas exchange in infants or children II.to quantify the real-time responses to bedside interventions III.to continuously monitor for hyperoxia in newborn infants

What is the process of testing a new blood gas analyzer to confirm a manufacturer's claims?

You return to a patient's room 20 minutes after drawing an ABG. Which of the following should you check at this time? I.puncture site for hematoma II.adequacy of distal circulation III.prothrombin or partial thromboplastin times

What is the greatest hazard of pulse oximetry?

Which of the following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) barrier precautions would you use when obtaining an arterial blood gas (ABG) through percutaneous puncture? I.gloves II.protective eyewear III.gown or apron

Which of the following is false about invasive versus noninvasive monitoring?

When is capillary blood gas sampling indicated?

Under ideal conditions, pulse oximeter readings patients usually fall in what range of those obtained with invasive hemoximetry?

What is the quality control procedure of analysis and reporting on externally provided control media with unknown values?

When performing a percutaneous needle puncture of the radial artery, you get only a small spurt of blood. Which of the following is the best action at this time?

You obtain an SpO2 reading of 90% using an oximeter with an approximate accuracy of 5%. This could indicate a PO2 as low as what level?

You obtain an SpO2 reading of 100% on a patient receiving O2 through a nonrebreathing mask. What range of PaO2 levels is possible in this patient?

A patient being monitored by capnography exhibits a sudden rise in end-tidal CO2 levels. All of the following are possible causes of this change except:

Analysis of an arterial blood sample taken from a healthy athlete reveals a pH of 7.36, a PCO2 of 45 mm Hg, and a PO2 of 43 mm Hg. Which of the following analytic errors should you suspect?

Why is the radial artery the preferred site for arterial blood sampling? I.It is near the surface and easy to palpate and stabilize. II.The ulnar artery normally provides good collateral circulation. III.The radial artery is not near any large veins.

Which of the following changes would occur if an arterial blood sample of a patient breathing room air were exposed to a large air bubble? I.decreased PCO2 II.decreased pH III.increased PO2

What is the most common technique used to measure CO₂in respiratory gases?

To measure PCO₂, blood gas analyzers use what electrode?

You obtain an SpO₂ reading of 90% using an oximeter with an approximate accuracy of 5%. This could indicate a PO₂ as low as what level?

You obtain an SpO₂reading of 100% on a patient receiving O₂through a nonrebreathing mask. What range of PaO₂ levels is possible in this patient?

A patient being monitored by capnography exhibits a sudden rise in end-tidal CO₂ levels. All of the following are possible causes of this change except:

Analysis of an arterial blood sample taken from a healthy athlete reveals a pH of 7.36, a PCO₂of 45 mm Hg, and a PO₂ of 43 mm Hg. Which of the following analytic errors should you suspect?

Which of the following changes would occur if an arterial blood sample of a patient breathing room air were exposed to a large air bubble? I.decreased PCO₂ II.decreased pH III.increased PO₂