32 Questions
What is the purpose of the check valve in the supply pipeline?
Prevents gas leakage from the machine upon disconnect
What is the primary function of the hanger yokes in the supply cylinder?
Orient cylinders and ensure unidirectional flow into the machine
What is the accurate measurement of Nitrous Oxide (N2O) when the liquid is depleted?
About ¼ of N2O vapor capacity remains
Which component is part of the high-pressure system of the anesthesia machine?
Cylinder pressure regulators
What is the purpose of the oxygen flush valve in the processing of gases before delivery to the patient?
Rapidly flushes the system with oxygen
What factors increase the potential for carbon monoxide (CO) production from strong base absorbents?
Low fresh gas flow (FGF) rates and high volatile anesthetic (VA) concentration
Which volatile anesthetic (VA) is not typically implicated in the production of carbon monoxide (CO) from strong base absorbents?
Sevoflurane
Which component is a critical part of the open interface scavenging system found on more modern anesthesia systems?
Appropriate suction application
What is the main purpose of the anesthesia machine scavenging system?
Collection and removal of waste anesthetic gas from the operating room
What is the general function of an anesthetic vaporizer?
To deliver a precise concentration of volatile anesthetic to the patient
What is the primary ingredient in the granules of carbon dioxide absorbent systems?
Ca(OH)2
What is the purpose of the unidirectional valves in the breathing circuit?
Create a pattern of gas flow that forces exhaled gas through the CO2 absorbent
What is the function of the APL valve in the breathing circuit?
Vent excess gas to the scavenger system and control pressure in the circuit
What is the purpose of gas-driven bellows and mechanically-driven piston ventilators?
Used for mechanical ventilation with different mechanisms for gas delivery and decoupling
What do breathing circuits provide conduits for?
Fresh gas, volatile anesthetic, and exhaled gas
What is the purpose of the oxygen flush valve on the anesthesia machine?
To quickly fill the breathing circuit with oxygen
What is the purpose of the hypoxic guard/proportioning system in the anesthesia machine?
To ensure the delivered FiO2 is at least 23-25%
What is the purpose of the flowmeter assembly in the anesthesia machine?
To precisely control and measure fresh gas flow
What is the purpose of the vaporizer in the anesthesia machine?
To allow the capture and measured delivery of vapor above liquid volatile anesthetic
What is the purpose of the fail-safe mechanisms in the anesthesia machine?
To prevent or limit the delivery of N2O when oxygen pressure falls
What is the purpose of the oxygen low-pressure alarm in the anesthesia machine?
To alert providers when pipeline oxygen pressure falls below a preset value
What are the potential causes of hypoventilation/hypercapnia?
Reservoir bag emptying
What is the correct response to inspiratory/expiratory circuit obstruction?
Ventilate with BVM
What are the potential causes of excessive airway pressure?
O2 flush valve activation
What are the potential causes of circuit obstruction?
Stuck expiratory valve
What are the potential causes of inadequate anesthetic agent?
Vaporizer interlock failure
What is the prevention and detection of hypoventilation/hypercapnia?
Inspired and expired VA level monitoring
What is the prevention and detection of circuit obstruction?
Circuit leak test
What is the prevention and detection of excessive airway pressure?
High sustained airway pressure alarm
What is the correct response to pipeline crossover?
Connect to an auxiliary oxygen source
What are the potential causes of hypoxic gas mixture?
Ventilator relief valve obstruction
What is the prevention and detection of hypoxic gas mixture?
Ventilator relief valve obstruction
Study Notes
Anesthesia Machine Gas Control and Monitoring Summary
- Anesthesia machines supply fresh gas to flowmeters and power oxygen flush mechanisms.
- Fail-safe mechanisms are activated to prevent or limit the delivery of N2O when oxygen pressure falls.
- The oxygen second-stage regulator receives O2 at intermediate pressure and regulates it to a lower, manufacturer-specific value to ensure consistent output to the flowmeter.
- The oxygen flush valve is used to quickly fill the breathing circuit with oxygen and can lead to barotrauma if activated during the inspiratory cycle of mechanical ventilation.
- The oxygen low-pressure alarm alerts providers when pipeline oxygen pressure falls below a preset value, with immediate goals to address the loss of oxygenation and ventilation.
- Ventilator drive gas, usually 100% oxygen, is used to pressurize the ventilator chamber and deliver the prescribed tidal volume, with modern machines converting to air in case of oxygen pressure failure.
- The flowmeter assembly precisely controls and measures fresh gas flow, with modern machines using electronic flowmeters with digital displays.
- Flowmeter safety features include distinguishing the oxygen control knob in visual and tactile form and positioning oxygen downstream before the common gas manifold.
- The hypoxic guard/proportioning system links flows of O2 and N2O to ensure the delivered FiO2 is at least 23-25%, with mechanical or electronic systems used to achieve this.
- Minimum oxygen flow is always present when the machine is powered on, and problems with flowmeters such as leaks and inaccuracy need to be carefully monitored and addressed.
- Vaporizers allow the capture and measured delivery of vapor above liquid volatile anesthetic, with variable-bypass vaporizers being temperature compensated to maintain constant vapor concentration output.
- Hazards and safety features of vaporizers include misfilling, tipping, improper filling, and addressing issues like simultaneous agent administration and leaks, as well as minimizing the intermittent back pressure or "pumping effect."
Test your knowledge of anesthesia machine gas control and monitoring with this quiz. Explore topics such as fail-safe mechanisms, flowmeter safety features, vaporizer hazards, and more.
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