Anesthesia Technologist Refresher Exam 4 Study Guide & Practice Questions - 2026-2027
An air bubble of significant size is trapped in an arterial D. PaCO2
blood gas syringe that is not removed prior to analytical Any sample with more than fine air bubbles should be discarded. Air bubbles result
sampling. The air bubble will decrease: in gas equilibration between the air and arterial blood, lowering the arterial carbon
dioxide pressure (PaCO2) and increasing arterial oxygen pressure (PaO2). The
A. PvO2 cellular constituents of blood remain metabolically active so arterial gas tensions in
B. pH the sample will change over time. If the sample cannot be analyzed quickly it should
C. SaO2 be cooled to 5ºC immediately. The sample can then be stored for up to one hour on
D. PaCO2 crushed ice with little clinically significant effect on the result.
An air bubble of significant size is trapped in a mixed D. PvO2
venous blood sample that is not removed prior to analytical Any sample with more than fine air bubbles should be discarded. Air bubbles result
sampling. The trapped air bubble will increase: in gas equilibration between the air and venous blood, lowering the venous carbon
dioxide pressure (PvCO2) and increasing venous oxygen pressure (PvO2). The
A. Hct cellular constituents of blood remain metabolically active so venous gas tensions in
B. Base excess the sample will change over time. If the sample cannot be analyzed quickly it should
C. PvCO2 be cooled to 5ºC immediately. The sample can then be stored for up to one hour on
D. PvO2 crushed ice with little clinically significant effect on the result.
An arterial blood gas sample is drawn on a patient in the A. Label the syringe with the correct patient identification and place on ice.
operating room on the third floor and needs to be sent for
analysis to the central lab that is on the ninth floor. To Since there is a greater probability that the sample will not be tested immediately; it
prepare the sample, the anesthesia tech must: should be placed on ice to prevent clotting. All patient samples should be
appropriately labeled with a minimum of the patients' name, date of birth and
A. Label the syringe with the correct patient identification gender. Know your facilities policy regarding the handling of specimens.
and place on ice.
B. Label the syringe with doctors' initials, time of draw and
wait 10 minutes before tubing it to the lab.
C. Call the central lab and let them know the sample is on
its way.
D. None of the above
When preparing to draw a point-of-care sample for D. A & B
analysis in the OR, the technician preparing the sample
must: The technician should use the appropriate personal protective equipment to follow
standard precautions.
A. Follow aseptic technique
B. Follow standard precautions Aseptic technique is then followed when drawing the sample.
C. Have ice readily available
D. A & B Since the actual test will be performed in the OR, ice is not necessary.
The agency responsible for safety of medical gas cylinders F. All of the above
is:
All of the above agencies partner to ensure the safety of medical gas.
A. FDA
B. DOT The FDA is responsible for enforcing the purity of the gases.
C. OSHA
D. NFPA The DOT publishes the standards for the manufacturing, marking, labeling, filling,
E. CGA handling and maintenance of medical gas cylinders.
F. All of the above
OSHA publishes standards affecting the safety and health of employees.
The NFPA and the CGA also publish standards regarding the handling and storage
of medical gas cylinders.
This law refers that with gases pressure and volume are B. Boyle's
related.
Boyle's Law is a basic law in chemistry that describes the behavior of a gas held at
A. Charles' a constant temperature. The law states that at a fixed temperature, the volume of
B. Boyle's gas is inversely proportional to the pressure exerted by the gas. In other words,
C. Henry's when a gas is pumped into an enclosed space, it will shrink to fit into that space, but
D. Gay-Lussac's the pressure that the gas puts on the container will increase.
A liquid is defined as that temperature at which the vapor B. Boiling point
pressure equals atmospheric pressure is the definition for:
The boiling point of a liquid is the temperature at which its vapor pressure is equal
A. Vapor pressure to atmospheric pressure. The lower the atmospheric pressure, the lower the boiling
B. Boiling point point.
C. Latent heat of vaporization
D. Specific heat
, Anesthesia Technologist Refresher Exam 4 Study Guide & Practice Questions - 2026-2027
The measure of the volatility of the liquid anesthetic in the A. Vapor pressure
carrier gas is the definition for:
When a volatile liquid is entrapped in a closed container, molecules will break away
A. Vapor pressure from the surface and enter the space above it thereby forming a vapor. If the
B. Boiling point container is kept at a constant temperature, an equilibrium is formed between the
C. Latent heat of vaporization liquid and the vapor so that the number of molecules in the vapor phase remains
D. Specific heat constant, creating a pressure against the walls of the container. If heat is supplied to
the container, more molecules will enter the vapor phase and the vapor pressure
will rise. If heat is removed, the molecules will enter the liquid state and the vapor
pressure will decrease.
ASTM mandates that vapor output cannot increase by A. 10%
more than ________ with flush.
The ASTM machine standard (there are 5) requires that the connection of the
A. 10% oxygen flush line to the common gas outlet is designed to prevent pressure
B. 20% regulations that may produce a pumping effect on vaporizers. It also limits the
C. 30% pressure transmitted to the vaporizers during the use of the flush valve to not more
D. 50% than 10% and limits the change in concentration to not more than 20% with
intermittent back pressures.
This may be decreased by reducing the circuit's length, B. Resistance
increasing diameter and maximizing laminar flow. Laminar flow of gas through a tube is smooth and particles move parallel to the
walls of the tube.
A. Rebreathing Resistance is directly proportional to flow rate with laminar flow.
B. Resistance Breathing system resistance is affected by the length and internal diameter of the
C. Pumping breathing system components and is increased by if there are bends or
D. Dead space constrictions in the tubing.
Which of the following agents may use a variable bypass D. A & B
vaporizer for delivery?
Variable-bypass vaporizers are used to deliver halothane, enflurane, isoflurane, and
A. Isoflurane sevoflurane but not desflurane. Controlled vaporization of desflurane requires an
B. Sevoflurane electrically heated, pressurized vaporizer because of desflurane's unique physical
C. Desflurane properties.
D. A & B
The severity of an electrical shock is determined by: D. Both A & B
A. The amount of current The severity of an electrical shock is determined by the amount of current density
B. The duration of current flow and duration of flow. Macroshock delivers large amounts of current that can result in
C. Low frequency current that is not grounded bodily injury or death. Microshock describes small amounts of current (pacing wire).
D. Both A & B
The Line isolation monitor is a device: A. That continuously monitors the integrity of the isolated power system
A. That continuously monitors the integrity of the isolated The line isolation monitor measures the impedance to ground on each side of the
power system isolated power system. If a faulty piece of equipment is connected to the isolated
B. Has no bearing on integrity of the isolated power system system, it will change the system to a conventional ground system yet the faulty
C. Only works if there are puddles of normal saline on the piece of equipment will continue to function normally.
OR floor
D. Prevents a device from delivering a macro shock
When using an electrosurgical unit, the unit cannot be C. The energy is routed from the unit through the patient and back to the unit via a
safely used unless: dispersive pad.
A. High frequency currents are used The energy is routed from the unit through the patient and back to the unit via a
B. Low frequency currents are used dispersive pad. Because the pad is large enough, the current density is low and
C. The energy is routed from the unit through the patient therefore no harmful heat occurs. It the return plate improperly applied, or the cord
and back to the unit via a dispersive pad. connecting the ESU is broken, high frequency electrical current will seek an
D. The energy is routed from the unit through the patient alternate return path (EKG leads, temperature probe) that could result in serious
via a dispersive pad. burns to the patient.
Desiccated carbon dioxide absorbents in the presence of D. Sevoflurane
this volatile anesthetic may result in a fire:
Desiccated soda lime degrades desflurane, isoflurane, and sevoflurane to produce
A. Isoflurane heat. Although sevoflurane degradation produces much more heat than degradation
B. Desflurane of desflurane or isoflurane. The interaction of desiccated Baralyme® with
C. Enthrane sevoflurane can produce absorbent temperatures of several hundred degrees
D. Sevoflurane centigrade. The
increase in temperature may cause anesthetic circuit fires and patient injury.
, Anesthesia Technologist Refresher Exam 4 Study Guide & Practice Questions - 2026-2027
If a fire occurs the first step that should be taken is to A. True
remove one component of the fire triangle.
To prevent a fire from spreading, it is more effective to remove one component of
A. True the fire triangle. Disconnecting and removing the source of oxygen is usually the
B. False quickest way to get the fire under control.
Allogeneic blood is: B. Blood that is donated by one individual to be transfused to another individual
A. The patient's own blood Allogeneic blood is the process of voluntarily donating blood for the national supply.
B. Blood that is donated by one individual to be transfused
to another individual
C. Porcine blood
D. Both A & B
Autologous blood is: A. The patient's own blood
A. The patient's own blood Autologous blood denotes that the donor and recipient are the same.
B. Blood that is donated by one individual to be transfused
to another individual
C. Porcine blood
D. Both A & B
Three different types of autotransfusion include: B. Intraoperative salvage, predonation & acute normovolemic hemodilution
A. Intraoperative salvage, post-operative salvage and Predeposit, acute normovolemic hemodilution, platelet and plasma sequestration
allogeneic transfusion and intraoperative and postoperative salvage are types of autotransfusion (patient's
B. Intraoperative salvage, predonation & acute own).
normovolemic hemodilution
C. Post-operative salvage, predonation & allogeneic Allogeneic refers to one person's blood that is transfused to another individual.
transfusion
D. Platelet sequestration, plasma sequestration and
allogeneic
One benefit of the use of autotransfusion is that the A. True
patients get their own blood back, thereby reducing
reactions to the transfusion and reduces the possibility of The equipment collects the patient's own blood, so the chance of a reaction is
giving the patient the wrong blood. almost obsolete. Since the cell salvage unit is collecting the patient's own RDC's,
there is no transmission error.
A. True
B. False
The association responsible for publishing guidelines for B. AABB
the use of autotransfusion is:
Know the different organizations. The American Association of Blood Banks is
A. OSHA responsible for the developing guidelines that relate to the administration of blood.
B. AABB
C. JC
D. FDA
An indication for the use of autotransfusion is: E. Both B & C
A. When the anticipated blood loss of an adult is <2% Know the indications for the use of autotransfusion that are established by the
B. When the anticipated blood loss of an adult is >20% AABB.
C. Any procedure in which blood is routinely typed and
crossed
D. Both A & B
E. Both B & C
F. Both A & C
There are two types of anticoagulant that may be used B. False
with autotransfusion: citrate and a heparin solution
containing 10,000 units of heparin to a 1liter bag of normal Citrate and a Heparin solution of 30,000 units per one liter bag of 0.9% normal
saline 0.9%. saline is recommended by the AABB.
A. True
B. False
An air bubble of significant size is trapped in an arterial D. PaCO2
blood gas syringe that is not removed prior to analytical Any sample with more than fine air bubbles should be discarded. Air bubbles result
sampling. The air bubble will decrease: in gas equilibration between the air and arterial blood, lowering the arterial carbon
dioxide pressure (PaCO2) and increasing arterial oxygen pressure (PaO2). The
A. PvO2 cellular constituents of blood remain metabolically active so arterial gas tensions in
B. pH the sample will change over time. If the sample cannot be analyzed quickly it should
C. SaO2 be cooled to 5ºC immediately. The sample can then be stored for up to one hour on
D. PaCO2 crushed ice with little clinically significant effect on the result.
An air bubble of significant size is trapped in a mixed D. PvO2
venous blood sample that is not removed prior to analytical Any sample with more than fine air bubbles should be discarded. Air bubbles result
sampling. The trapped air bubble will increase: in gas equilibration between the air and venous blood, lowering the venous carbon
dioxide pressure (PvCO2) and increasing venous oxygen pressure (PvO2). The
A. Hct cellular constituents of blood remain metabolically active so venous gas tensions in
B. Base excess the sample will change over time. If the sample cannot be analyzed quickly it should
C. PvCO2 be cooled to 5ºC immediately. The sample can then be stored for up to one hour on
D. PvO2 crushed ice with little clinically significant effect on the result.
An arterial blood gas sample is drawn on a patient in the A. Label the syringe with the correct patient identification and place on ice.
operating room on the third floor and needs to be sent for
analysis to the central lab that is on the ninth floor. To Since there is a greater probability that the sample will not be tested immediately; it
prepare the sample, the anesthesia tech must: should be placed on ice to prevent clotting. All patient samples should be
appropriately labeled with a minimum of the patients' name, date of birth and
A. Label the syringe with the correct patient identification gender. Know your facilities policy regarding the handling of specimens.
and place on ice.
B. Label the syringe with doctors' initials, time of draw and
wait 10 minutes before tubing it to the lab.
C. Call the central lab and let them know the sample is on
its way.
D. None of the above
When preparing to draw a point-of-care sample for D. A & B
analysis in the OR, the technician preparing the sample
must: The technician should use the appropriate personal protective equipment to follow
standard precautions.
A. Follow aseptic technique
B. Follow standard precautions Aseptic technique is then followed when drawing the sample.
C. Have ice readily available
D. A & B Since the actual test will be performed in the OR, ice is not necessary.
The agency responsible for safety of medical gas cylinders F. All of the above
is:
All of the above agencies partner to ensure the safety of medical gas.
A. FDA
B. DOT The FDA is responsible for enforcing the purity of the gases.
C. OSHA
D. NFPA The DOT publishes the standards for the manufacturing, marking, labeling, filling,
E. CGA handling and maintenance of medical gas cylinders.
F. All of the above
OSHA publishes standards affecting the safety and health of employees.
The NFPA and the CGA also publish standards regarding the handling and storage
of medical gas cylinders.
This law refers that with gases pressure and volume are B. Boyle's
related.
Boyle's Law is a basic law in chemistry that describes the behavior of a gas held at
A. Charles' a constant temperature. The law states that at a fixed temperature, the volume of
B. Boyle's gas is inversely proportional to the pressure exerted by the gas. In other words,
C. Henry's when a gas is pumped into an enclosed space, it will shrink to fit into that space, but
D. Gay-Lussac's the pressure that the gas puts on the container will increase.
A liquid is defined as that temperature at which the vapor B. Boiling point
pressure equals atmospheric pressure is the definition for:
The boiling point of a liquid is the temperature at which its vapor pressure is equal
A. Vapor pressure to atmospheric pressure. The lower the atmospheric pressure, the lower the boiling
B. Boiling point point.
C. Latent heat of vaporization
D. Specific heat
, Anesthesia Technologist Refresher Exam 4 Study Guide & Practice Questions - 2026-2027
The measure of the volatility of the liquid anesthetic in the A. Vapor pressure
carrier gas is the definition for:
When a volatile liquid is entrapped in a closed container, molecules will break away
A. Vapor pressure from the surface and enter the space above it thereby forming a vapor. If the
B. Boiling point container is kept at a constant temperature, an equilibrium is formed between the
C. Latent heat of vaporization liquid and the vapor so that the number of molecules in the vapor phase remains
D. Specific heat constant, creating a pressure against the walls of the container. If heat is supplied to
the container, more molecules will enter the vapor phase and the vapor pressure
will rise. If heat is removed, the molecules will enter the liquid state and the vapor
pressure will decrease.
ASTM mandates that vapor output cannot increase by A. 10%
more than ________ with flush.
The ASTM machine standard (there are 5) requires that the connection of the
A. 10% oxygen flush line to the common gas outlet is designed to prevent pressure
B. 20% regulations that may produce a pumping effect on vaporizers. It also limits the
C. 30% pressure transmitted to the vaporizers during the use of the flush valve to not more
D. 50% than 10% and limits the change in concentration to not more than 20% with
intermittent back pressures.
This may be decreased by reducing the circuit's length, B. Resistance
increasing diameter and maximizing laminar flow. Laminar flow of gas through a tube is smooth and particles move parallel to the
walls of the tube.
A. Rebreathing Resistance is directly proportional to flow rate with laminar flow.
B. Resistance Breathing system resistance is affected by the length and internal diameter of the
C. Pumping breathing system components and is increased by if there are bends or
D. Dead space constrictions in the tubing.
Which of the following agents may use a variable bypass D. A & B
vaporizer for delivery?
Variable-bypass vaporizers are used to deliver halothane, enflurane, isoflurane, and
A. Isoflurane sevoflurane but not desflurane. Controlled vaporization of desflurane requires an
B. Sevoflurane electrically heated, pressurized vaporizer because of desflurane's unique physical
C. Desflurane properties.
D. A & B
The severity of an electrical shock is determined by: D. Both A & B
A. The amount of current The severity of an electrical shock is determined by the amount of current density
B. The duration of current flow and duration of flow. Macroshock delivers large amounts of current that can result in
C. Low frequency current that is not grounded bodily injury or death. Microshock describes small amounts of current (pacing wire).
D. Both A & B
The Line isolation monitor is a device: A. That continuously monitors the integrity of the isolated power system
A. That continuously monitors the integrity of the isolated The line isolation monitor measures the impedance to ground on each side of the
power system isolated power system. If a faulty piece of equipment is connected to the isolated
B. Has no bearing on integrity of the isolated power system system, it will change the system to a conventional ground system yet the faulty
C. Only works if there are puddles of normal saline on the piece of equipment will continue to function normally.
OR floor
D. Prevents a device from delivering a macro shock
When using an electrosurgical unit, the unit cannot be C. The energy is routed from the unit through the patient and back to the unit via a
safely used unless: dispersive pad.
A. High frequency currents are used The energy is routed from the unit through the patient and back to the unit via a
B. Low frequency currents are used dispersive pad. Because the pad is large enough, the current density is low and
C. The energy is routed from the unit through the patient therefore no harmful heat occurs. It the return plate improperly applied, or the cord
and back to the unit via a dispersive pad. connecting the ESU is broken, high frequency electrical current will seek an
D. The energy is routed from the unit through the patient alternate return path (EKG leads, temperature probe) that could result in serious
via a dispersive pad. burns to the patient.
Desiccated carbon dioxide absorbents in the presence of D. Sevoflurane
this volatile anesthetic may result in a fire:
Desiccated soda lime degrades desflurane, isoflurane, and sevoflurane to produce
A. Isoflurane heat. Although sevoflurane degradation produces much more heat than degradation
B. Desflurane of desflurane or isoflurane. The interaction of desiccated Baralyme® with
C. Enthrane sevoflurane can produce absorbent temperatures of several hundred degrees
D. Sevoflurane centigrade. The
increase in temperature may cause anesthetic circuit fires and patient injury.
, Anesthesia Technologist Refresher Exam 4 Study Guide & Practice Questions - 2026-2027
If a fire occurs the first step that should be taken is to A. True
remove one component of the fire triangle.
To prevent a fire from spreading, it is more effective to remove one component of
A. True the fire triangle. Disconnecting and removing the source of oxygen is usually the
B. False quickest way to get the fire under control.
Allogeneic blood is: B. Blood that is donated by one individual to be transfused to another individual
A. The patient's own blood Allogeneic blood is the process of voluntarily donating blood for the national supply.
B. Blood that is donated by one individual to be transfused
to another individual
C. Porcine blood
D. Both A & B
Autologous blood is: A. The patient's own blood
A. The patient's own blood Autologous blood denotes that the donor and recipient are the same.
B. Blood that is donated by one individual to be transfused
to another individual
C. Porcine blood
D. Both A & B
Three different types of autotransfusion include: B. Intraoperative salvage, predonation & acute normovolemic hemodilution
A. Intraoperative salvage, post-operative salvage and Predeposit, acute normovolemic hemodilution, platelet and plasma sequestration
allogeneic transfusion and intraoperative and postoperative salvage are types of autotransfusion (patient's
B. Intraoperative salvage, predonation & acute own).
normovolemic hemodilution
C. Post-operative salvage, predonation & allogeneic Allogeneic refers to one person's blood that is transfused to another individual.
transfusion
D. Platelet sequestration, plasma sequestration and
allogeneic
One benefit of the use of autotransfusion is that the A. True
patients get their own blood back, thereby reducing
reactions to the transfusion and reduces the possibility of The equipment collects the patient's own blood, so the chance of a reaction is
giving the patient the wrong blood. almost obsolete. Since the cell salvage unit is collecting the patient's own RDC's,
there is no transmission error.
A. True
B. False
The association responsible for publishing guidelines for B. AABB
the use of autotransfusion is:
Know the different organizations. The American Association of Blood Banks is
A. OSHA responsible for the developing guidelines that relate to the administration of blood.
B. AABB
C. JC
D. FDA
An indication for the use of autotransfusion is: E. Both B & C
A. When the anticipated blood loss of an adult is <2% Know the indications for the use of autotransfusion that are established by the
B. When the anticipated blood loss of an adult is >20% AABB.
C. Any procedure in which blood is routinely typed and
crossed
D. Both A & B
E. Both B & C
F. Both A & C
There are two types of anticoagulant that may be used B. False
with autotransfusion: citrate and a heparin solution
containing 10,000 units of heparin to a 1liter bag of normal Citrate and a Heparin solution of 30,000 units per one liter bag of 0.9% normal
saline 0.9%. saline is recommended by the AABB.
A. True
B. False
