Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) Practice Exam

What is the definition of accuracy in the context of equipment measurement?

1. The ability of an item of equipment to produce similar results when a known value is repeatedly introduced

2. The same measurement obtained every time regardless of correctness

3. Consistent measurements significantly deviating from the target value

4. Measurements that can be verified by multiple instruments

The correct answer is: The ability of an item of equipment to produce similar results when a known value is repeatedly introduced

In the context of equipment measurement, accuracy refers to how close a measured value is to the actual or true value. The correct definition emphasizes that accuracy involves producing results that are indicative of the known value being measured, thus highlighting the importance of alignment between measurement outcomes and the established benchmark. Option A is correct because it accurately captures the essence of accuracy: it is concerned with the closeness of the measurements to the true or expected value when a known value is repeatedly introduced. This indicates that an accurate measuring device will yield results that converge on the actual value without significant error. The other options do not correctly define accuracy. For instance, defining accuracy as consistent measurements regardless of correctness would imply that a device is accurate simply because it replicates results, which does not account for the deviation from the true value. Similarly, consistent measurements that deviate significantly from the target value suggest a lack of accuracy, while the notion of verifiable measurements by multiple instruments pertains more to reliability or precision rather than accuracy itself.