Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) Practice Exam

What is the recommended action if blood gas results don't match a calibration solution?

1. Request a new sample

2. Check display calibration

3. Replace the machine

4. Consult a technician

The correct answer is: Check display calibration

When blood gas results do not match the calibration solution, the appropriate action is to check the display calibration. This step is crucial because it verifies whether the equipment is accurately reflecting the reference values. Calibration solutions are used to ensure that the blood gas analyzer is operating correctly and providing reliable results. If the analyzer is not properly calibrated, it can lead to erroneous measurements, which could impact patient management and treatment decisions. Checking the display calibration involves ensuring that the analyzer's measurements align with the expected values of the calibration solution. If discrepancies are found, recalibration may be necessary to restore accuracy. Regular maintenance and recalibration are vital practices in laboratory settings to uphold the integrity of results. The other options might seem relevant but do not directly address the immediate issue of ensuring measurement accuracy. Requesting a new sample could be considered if there are suspicions about the validity of the sample itself, but it would not resolve calibration issues. Replacing the machine is an extreme measure and typically unnecessary unless it has been determined that the equipment is malfunctioning beyond calibration issues. Consulting a technician could be involved if there are persistent calibration problems, but the first step should always be to check the calibration itself.