Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) Practice Exam

Why is it important to monitor for a ruptured membrane in blood gas sampling?

1. It can affect pH results.

2. It can cause sample contamination.

3. It can change the temperature of the sample.

4. It can alter the humidity of the sample.

The correct answer is: It can cause sample contamination.

Monitoring for a ruptured membrane in blood gas sampling is crucial primarily because it can lead to sample contamination. When a sample is taken from a patient's artery or vein, there is a delicate balance that must be maintained to ensure the integrity of the specimen. If the membrane becomes ruptured, external contaminants such as air, bacteria, or other substances can enter the sample, skewing the results and potentially leading to misdiagnosis or inappropriate treatment. Sample contamination can also introduce artifacts that affect the measurements of gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide, as well as other factors such as electrolytes. That makes identifying and addressing a ruptured membrane critical for ensuring that the blood gas analysis reflects the patient’s true physiological state. It is vital for healthcare providers to maintain the highest standards of procedural technique to avoid such issues that can directly undermine the reliability and accuracy of the data obtained from blood gas sampling.