Question 1

What is the typical water vapor output of an unheated bubble humidifier?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the typical water vapor output...

Question 2

A design that increases surface area and enhances evaporation by incorporating an absorbent material partially submerged in a water reservoir that is surrounded by a heating element best describes what type of humidifier?

Accepted Answer

The description given matches the design of a wick humidifier, where a wick made of absorbent material partially submerged in water is surrounded by a heating element to increase evaporation and humidity. The other options - bubble, cascade, and hygroscopic - do not match the given design description.

Question 3

What is the goal of using an unheated bubble humidifier with oronasal oxygen delivery systems?

Accepted Answer

The goal of using an unheated bubble humidifier with oronasal oxygen delivery systems is to raise the humidity of the gas to ambient levels, making it more comfortable and less drying for the patient's airways.

Question 4

Heat-moisture exchangers (HMEs) are mainly used to do what?

Accepted Answer

HMEs are primarily used to warm and humidify gases delivered to the trachea through ventilator circuits.

Question 5

The typical pressure pop-off incorporated into most simple bubble humidifiers releases pressure above which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The typical pressure pop-off valve in most simple bubble humidifiers is designed to release pressure above 2 psig (pounds per square inch gauge) to prevent excessive pressure buildup that could be harmful.

Question 6

Simple unheated bubble humidifiers are commonly used to humidify gases with what type of systems?

Accepted Answer

Simple unheated bubble humidifiers are commonly used with oronasal oxygen delivery systems to prevent dryness and irritation of the airways. Humidifiers are not typically necessary with mechanical ventilation, tracheal oxygen airway, or aerosol drug delivery systems.

Question 7

At high flow rates, what do some bubble humidifiers produce?

Accepted Answer

At high flow rates, some bubble humidifiers produce aerosol particles, which can potentially lead to respiratory issues. Therefore, bubble humidifiers may not be the best choice for patients requiring high flow oxygen therapy.

Question 8

What are some types of passover humidifiers?
I.simple reservoir
II.membrane
III.wick

Accepted Answer

Simple reservoir, membrane, and wick are all types of passover humidifiers, which are used in medical settings to add moisture to the air that a patient breathes.

Question 9

Unheated bubble humidifiers are of limited effectiveness at flows above which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Unheated bubble humidifiers are of limited effectiveness at flow rates higher than 10 L/min.

Question 10

When checking an oxygen delivery system that incorporates a bubble humidifier running at 6 L/min, you occlude the delivery tubing, and the humidifier pressure relief immediately pops off. What does this indicate?

Accepted Answer

The pressure relief popping off indicates that the system is working properly and is leak-free. When the delivery tubing is occluded, the pressure builds up and the pressure relief valve opens to prevent any damage to the system. This is a normal safety feature of the system. A malfunctioning humidifier would not cause the pressure relief valve to pop off, and a malfunctioning flowmeter or a leak in the delivery tubing would cause a decrease in pressure rather than an increase.

Question 11

All of the following are TRUE regarding a membrane-type humidifier except:

Accepted Answer

The statement "A small layer of liquid water remains on both sides of the membrane" is false. In a membrane humidifier, water and gas are separated by a hydrophobic membrane, which is permeable to water vapor but not to liquid water. As a result, there is no liquid water present in the humidifier.

Question 12

Advantages of passover humidifiers include all of the following except:

Accepted Answer

Passover humidifiers typically require heating to maintain BTPS conditions, as they do not naturally maintain body temperature and pressure without additional heat.

Question 13

A heat-moisture exchangers has an efficiency rating of 80%. What does this mean?

Accepted Answer

An efficiency rating of 80% for a heat-moisture exchanger means that 80% of the exhaled water vapor is captured by the device and returned to the patient during inspiration.

Question 14

Increasing the flow through an unheated bubble humidifier has which of the following effects?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Increasing the flow through an unheated bubble...

Question 15

Which type of humidifier "traps" the patient's body heat and expired water vapor to raise the humidity of inspired gas?

Accepted Answer

Heat-moisture exchanger is the only type of humidifier that "traps" the patient's body heat and expired water vapor to raise the humidity of inspired gas. Membrane and passover humidifiers work by passing gas through a liquid or a wet material, and bubble humidifiers simply bubble water into the gas.

Question 16

Why should you NOT heat the reservoirs of a bubble humidifier used with an oronasal oxygen delivery system?

Accepted Answer

Heating the reservoir of a bubble humidifier may increase the risk of condensate formation within the delivery tubing, leading to potential obstruction and delivery issues.

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the performance of a typical hygroscopic condenser HME?

Accepted Answer

A typical hygroscopic condenser HME (Heat and Moisture Exchanger) captures moisture from exhaled air and returns it during inhalation. The performance described in option A, where 40 mg/L of water vapor is exhaled and 27 mg/L is returned, is a realistic representation of the efficiency of these devices.

Question 18

To protect against obstructed or kinked tubing, simple bubble humidifiers incorporate which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A pressure relief valve is the best option for protecting against obstructed or kinked tubing in a simple bubble humidifier because it will release excess pressure and prevent damage to the tubing or the humidifier itself. HEPA outlet filters, automatic hygrometers, and electronic alarm systems do not address the issue of obstruction or kinking in the tubing.

Question 19

Which of the following are types of heat-moisture exchangers (HMEs)?
I.simple condenser
II.hygroscopic condenser
III.hydrophobic condenser

Accepted Answer

I, II, and III are all types of heat-moisture exchangers (HMEs), each utilizing different mechanisms to conserve or add moisture and heat to the respiratory gases.

Question 20

The relief valve on a bubble humidifier serves which of the following functions?
I.	It indicates when flow has been interrupted.
II.	It protects the device from pressure damage.
III.	It warns you when the water level is low.

Accepted Answer

The relief valve on a bubble humidifier serves two main functions: it indicates when flow has been interrupted, which helps in identifying any issues with the gas flow, and it protects the device from pressure damage by releasing excess pressure, ensuring the safety and integrity of the device. It does not, however, indicate when the water level is low.

Quiz 35: Humidity and Bland Aerosol Therapy