Question 1

Before attaching a transcutaneous blood gas monitor sensor to a patient, what should you do?
1) Provide a specified warm-up time and set the probe temperature.
2) Check the membrane and prepare a sensor with an adhesive ring and gel.
3) Prepare the monitoring site (remove excess hair and clean the skin).

Accepted Answer

A) 1 and 2 only 
B) 1 and 3 only 
C) 2 and 3 only 
D) 1, 2, and 3

Question 2

A patient being monitored by capnography exhibits a sudden rise in end-tidal CO2 levels. Which of the following are possible causes?
1) Sudden release of a tourniquet
2) Massive pulmonary embolism
3) Sudden increase in cardiac output
4) Injection of NaHCO3

Accepted Answer

A) 2 and 3 only 
B) 1, 3, and 4 only 
C) 2, 3, and 4 only 
D) 1, 2, 3, and 4

Question 3

Oximetry is the measurement of blood hemoglobin saturations using what technique?

Accepted Answer

A)  Electrochemical dissociation 
B)  Photoplethysmography 
C)  Photochemical reactions 
D)  Spectrophotometry

Question 4

To assess gas exchange at the tissues, you would obtain a blood sample from which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)  Pulmonary artery (balloon-deflated) 
B)  Peripheral artery (radial, brachial) 
C)  Central vein (superior or inferior vena cava) 
D)  Pulmonary artery (balloon-inflated)

Question 5

Which of the following factors contributing to imprecision (random) errors during blood gas analysis?

Accepted Answer

A)  Sample contamination 
B)  Contaminated buffers 
C)  Statistical probability 
D)  Sample mishandling

Question 6

What is the normal range for end-tidal CO2 as measured by capnography?

Accepted Answer

A)  0% to 5% 
B)  5% to 6% 
C)  6% to 8% 
D)  35% to 45%

Question 7

What is a normal level for CaO2?

Accepted Answer

A)  12 to 15 ml/100 ml 
B)  14 to 16 ml/100 ml 
C)  18 to 20 ml/100 ml 
D)  16 to 22 ml/100 ml

Question 8

An outpatient scheduled for an arterial blood sample enters the pulmonary lab 20 min late and out of breath, having run up four flights of stairs. What should you do?

Accepted Answer

A)  Postpone the blood sample until tomorrow. 
B)  Scold the patient for being so late. 
C)  Wait 5 min before taking the sample. 
D)  Scold the patient for using the stairs.

Question 9

You are asked to provide continuous monitoring of the FiO2 provided by a humidified O2 delivery system using a galvanic cell analyzer. Where would you install the analyzer's sensor?

Accepted Answer

A)  Proximal to the heated humidifier 
B)  On the expiratory side of the circuit 
C)  Distal to the heated humidifier 
D)  As close to the patient as possible

Question 10

What media are used to calibrate a blood gas analyzer's gas electrodes?

Accepted Answer

A)  Standard pH buffer solutions 
B)  Bloodlike control media 
C)  Precision mixtures of O2 and CO2 
D)  Tonometered human blood samples

Question 11

What is the measurement of CO2 in respiratory gases called?

Accepted Answer

A)  Oximetry 
B)  Capnometry 
C)  Optometry 
D)  Barometry

Question 12

Which of the following can help avoid the problem of arterial blood sample contamination with air?
1) Discarding frothy samples
2) Fully expelling any bubbles
3) Mixing before expelling air
4) Capping syringe quickly

Accepted Answer

A) 2 and 3 only 
B) 1, 2, and 4 only 
C) 1 and 4 only 
D) 1, 2, 3, and 4

Question 13

When performing an Allen test on the left hand of a patient, you notice that the palm, fingers, and thumb remain blanched for more than 15 sec after pressure on the ulnar artery is released. What should you do?

Accepted Answer

A)  Use the brachial site for sampling. 
B)  Sample from the contralateral radial artery. 
C)  Use the femoral site for sampling. 
D)  Perform the Allen test on the right hand.

Question 14

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 15

The transcutaneous blood gas electrode should not be placed on the:

Accepted Answer

A)  chest. 
B)  abdomen. 
C)  lower back. 
D)  thigh.

Question 16

Which of the following would you expect to occur if too much heparin was used in gathering an ABG sample from a patient breathing room air?

Accepted Answer

A)  Increase in HCO3- 
B)  Decrease in PCO2 
C)  Decrease in pH 
D)  Decrease in PO2

Question 17

A physician requests that you obtain and set up an arterial line system for invasive monitoring of blood pressure. Which of the following equipment would you gather?
1) Pressurized intravenous bag
2) Continuous flush device
3) Arterial catheter
4) Volume transducer

Accepted Answer

A) 1, 3, and 4 only 
B) 2 and 3 only 
C) 2, 3, and 4 only 
D) 1, 2, and 3 only

Question 18

Before connecting the sample syringe to an adult's arterial line stopcock, what would you do?

Accepted Answer

A)  Flush the line and stopcock with the heparinized intravenous solution. 
B)  Aspirate 1 to 2 ml of fluid or blood using a waste syringe. 
C)  Align the stopcock off to the patient and on to the flush solution. 
D)  Increase the flush-solution bag pressure by 20 to 30 mm Hg.

Question 19

Why is the radial artery the preferred site for arterial blood sampling?
1) It is near the surface and easy to palpate and stabilize.
2) The ulnar artery normally provides good collateral circulation.
3) The radial artery is not near any large veins.
4) It is the largest artery located in the upper extremities.

Accepted Answer

A) 1 and 4 only 
B) 3 only 
C) 2 and 4 only 
D) 1, 2, and 3 only

Question 20

Which of the following will result in falsely low HbO2 readings with a pulse oximeter?

Accepted Answer

A)  Presence of HbCO 
B)  Vascular dyes 
C)  Dark skin pigmentation 
D)  Presence of fetal hemoglobin

Exam 19: Analysis and Monitoring of Gas Exchange

A patient being monitored by capnography exhibits a sudden rise in end-tidal CO₂ levels. Which of the following are possible causes? 1) Sudden release of a tourniquet 2) Massive pulmonary embolism 3) Sudden increase in cardiac output 4) Injection of NaHCO₃

Oximetry is the measurement of blood hemoglobin saturations using what technique?

To assess gas exchange at the tissues, you would obtain a blood sample from which of the following?

Which of the following factors contributing to imprecision (random) errors during blood gas analysis?

What is the normal range for end-tidal CO₂ as measured by capnography?

What is a normal level for CaO₂?

An outpatient scheduled for an arterial blood sample enters the pulmonary lab 20 min late and out of breath, having run up four flights of stairs. What should you do?

You are asked to provide continuous monitoring of the FiO₂ provided by a humidified O₂ delivery system using a galvanic cell analyzer. Where would you install the analyzer's sensor?

What media are used to calibrate a blood gas analyzer's gas electrodes?

What is the measurement of CO₂ in respiratory gases called?

Which of the following can help avoid the problem of arterial blood sample contamination with air? 1) Discarding frothy samples 2) Fully expelling any bubbles 3) Mixing before expelling air 4) Capping syringe quickly

When performing an Allen test on the left hand of a patient, you notice that the palm, fingers, and thumb remain blanched for more than 15 sec after pressure on the ulnar artery is released. What should you do?

What is the greatest hazard of pulse oximetry?

The transcutaneous blood gas electrode should not be placed on the:

Which of the following would you expect to occur if too much heparin was used in gathering an ABG sample from a patient breathing room air?

A physician requests that you obtain and set up an arterial line system for invasive monitoring of blood pressure. Which of the following equipment would you gather? 1) Pressurized intravenous bag 2) Continuous flush device 3) Arterial catheter 4) Volume transducer

Before connecting the sample syringe to an adult's arterial line stopcock, what would you do?

Which of the following will result in falsely low HbO₂ readings with a pulse oximeter?

Exam 19: Analysis and Monitoring of Gas Exchange

A patient being monitored by capnography exhibits a sudden rise in end-tidal CO2 levels. Which of the following are possible causes? 1) Sudden release of a tourniquet 2) Massive pulmonary embolism 3) Sudden increase in cardiac output 4) Injection of NaHCO3

Oximetry is the measurement of blood hemoglobin saturations using what technique?

To assess gas exchange at the tissues, you would obtain a blood sample from which of the following?

Which of the following factors contributing to imprecision (random) errors during blood gas analysis?

What is the normal range for end-tidal CO2 as measured by capnography?

What is a normal level for CaO2?

An outpatient scheduled for an arterial blood sample enters the pulmonary lab 20 min late and out of breath, having run up four flights of stairs. What should you do?

You are asked to provide continuous monitoring of the FiO2 provided by a humidified O2 delivery system using a galvanic cell analyzer. Where would you install the analyzer's sensor?

What media are used to calibrate a blood gas analyzer's gas electrodes?

What is the measurement of CO2 in respiratory gases called?

Which of the following can help avoid the problem of arterial blood sample contamination with air? 1) Discarding frothy samples 2) Fully expelling any bubbles 3) Mixing before expelling air 4) Capping syringe quickly

When performing an Allen test on the left hand of a patient, you notice that the palm, fingers, and thumb remain blanched for more than 15 sec after pressure on the ulnar artery is released. What should you do?

What is the greatest hazard of pulse oximetry?

The transcutaneous blood gas electrode should not be placed on the:

Which of the following would you expect to occur if too much heparin was used in gathering an ABG sample from a patient breathing room air?

A physician requests that you obtain and set up an arterial line system for invasive monitoring of blood pressure. Which of the following equipment would you gather? 1) Pressurized intravenous bag 2) Continuous flush device 3) Arterial catheter 4) Volume transducer

Before connecting the sample syringe to an adult's arterial line stopcock, what would you do?

Which of the following will result in falsely low HbO2 readings with a pulse oximeter?

A patient being monitored by capnography exhibits a sudden rise in end-tidal CO₂ levels. Which of the following are possible causes? 1) Sudden release of a tourniquet 2) Massive pulmonary embolism 3) Sudden increase in cardiac output 4) Injection of NaHCO₃

What is the normal range for end-tidal CO₂ as measured by capnography?

What is a normal level for CaO₂?

You are asked to provide continuous monitoring of the FiO₂ provided by a humidified O₂ delivery system using a galvanic cell analyzer. Where would you install the analyzer's sensor?

What is the measurement of CO₂ in respiratory gases called?

Which of the following will result in falsely low HbO₂ readings with a pulse oximeter?