Healthcare Technology Problem-Solving Flashcards

A blood pressure monitor in a cardiac unit consistently reads 15 mmHg higher than a mercury manometer during simultaneous measurements. What is the most appropriate corrective action?

Answer: Calibrate the pressure transducer against a NIST-traceable reference

A consistent positive offset indicates transducer calibration drift, which must be corrected against a traceable reference manometer.

A hemodialysis machine's conductivity alarm activates at the start of each treatment session but clears after two minutes. What is the most likely root cause?

Answer: Air bubbles trapped in the conductivity cell during priming

Transient conductivity alarms that self-clear during priming are typically caused by air bubbles disrupting the electrical measurement in the cell.

A nurse reports that a syringe pump motor runs but no fluid is delivered. The syringe is correctly seated. What should the BMET check first?

Answer: Drive spindle engagement and syringe plunger clamp mechanism

If the motor runs but fluid is not delivered with the syringe correctly seated, the mechanical linkage between the drive spindle and plunger is the likely failure point.

During testing, an anesthesia machine's low-oxygen alarm fails to activate when the O2 concentration drops to 18%. What component is most likely at fault?

Answer: Oxygen cell (galvanic fuel cell) sensor

The galvanic oxygen cell is the primary sensor for the low-O2 alarm; a depleted or failed cell will not trigger the alarm at subanesthetic concentrations.

A portable X-ray unit's exposure terminates prematurely and mAs delivered is less than selected. The kVp is correct. What is the most likely cause?

Answer: Failing mAs timer or AEC sensor terminating exposure early

Premature exposure termination with correct kVp but low mAs indicates the mAs timer or automatic exposure control is ending the exposure before the set dose is reached.

An automated external defibrillator (AED) fails its daily self-test and indicates a low-battery condition despite a battery installed last week. What should the BMET do first?

Answer: Verify the battery installation orientation and check the contact terminals for corrosion

An incorrect battery orientation or corroded contacts can prevent proper electrical contact, mimicking a dead battery even in a new cell.

A clinical staff member reports that a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump delivered a lockout dose immediately after a patient-requested dose, violating the lockout interval. What is the most critical first action?

Answer: Remove the pump from service and file a medical device adverse event report

A lockout failure is a patient-safety critical event requiring immediate removal from service and mandatory adverse event reporting per FDA MDR regulations.