Gundersen Lutheran Laboratories

POCT La Crosse NICU Transport

i-STAT Blood Gas Training Quiz

Name:________________________ Operator ID: ____________Date: ___________

True/False:

_____1. Standard precautions must be used when collecting capillary blood samples
for testing on the i-STAT analyzer.

_____2. Cartridges stored at room temperature for more than two weeks can be used for
patient testing.

__
___
3.TheG3+c artr
idg ecanber e movedfromt heana
lyz
erwh
ile
Car
tr
idg
eLoc
ked
prompt is displayed on the i-STAT screen.

_____4. In a properly filled G3+ test cartridge, blood is transferred into the cartridge
from the capillary tube or a syringe until it reaches the blue fill mark.

__
___
5.Exc e
ss i
ve mi lkingoft hep a t
ie
ntsheel during capillary collection causes
hemolysis or tissue fluid contamination of the whole blood specimen and alters
blood gas test results.

_____6. G3+ Cartridges can be returned to the refrigerator once they have been warmed
to room temperature, as long as the foil packet is not opened.

_____7. G3+ cartridges stored refrigerated at 2-8C are stable until the expiration date
printed on the foil packet.

_____8. If results are flagged with***, a specimen should be tested repeatedly on the
i-STAT analyzer until a valid answer is obtained.

_____9. The certified i-STAT operator ID is your six-digit employee number.

_____10. All blood gas test results performed by the NICU transport team will be treated
uniformly as critical values.

_____11. Quickly enter your operator number into the i-STAT by scanning the large
upper barcode on the back of your GL name badge.

_____12. Capillary collection technique includes both drying the alcohol cleansed
puncture site prior to puncture and wiping away the first drop of blood after
puncture.
Multiple Choice:

1. Once the operator ID and the patient ID have been scanned into the i-STAT, the
operator has only ________minutes to collect the specimen, fill the cartridge,
close the sample cover and insert it into the analyzer to initiate testing.

a. 3
b. 5
c. 10
d. 15

2. What is the purpose of the electronic simulator?

a. Stimulates blood flow.

b. Checks the ability of the i-STAT analyzer to take accurate and sensitive
measurements of the voltage, current and resistance from the cartridge
electrodes.
c. Recharges the 9-volt battery.
d. None of the above.

3. How often is the i-STAT checked with the external electronic simulator?

a. Every hour
b. Every 8 hours
c. Every 24 hours
d. Once per week

4. Which of the following are true statements regarding G3+ cartridge usage?
(Circle all that apply)

a. Cartridges must warm to room temperature at least five minutes before

testing.
b. Air bubbles trapped in the sample well will not affect the blood gas test
results.
c. Failure to close the sample cover will result in a testing error.
d. The sample should be dispensed slowly and steadily until it reaches the
blue fill mark on the cartridge.

5. Ar
esul
ttha
tisf
lagg
edwi
th
<or>me
anst
hat
:

a. The cartridge is defective.

b. Thet estr es
ultf orth es pec i
fi
cpa
rame t
e re xceedst hec art
ridg e
sallowable
measurement range.
c. The analyzer must be checked with the electronic simulator.
d. None of the above
6. The i-STAT docking station located in NICU:

a. Ac tsa shome basefort

hei-STAT when not in use.
b. Charges both the i-STAT analyzer and a back-up battery.
c. Communicates bi-directionally with the Lab POC office.
d. Only a and b
e. Only b and c
f. All of the above

7. If any measured parameter i

sfl
agg
edwi
th
<or>
, the sample should be:

a. Repeated on the i-STAT once using the same sample.

b. Recollected upon arrival at Gundersen Lutheran-LaCrosse and tested by
sblood gas instrument.
the lab
c. Repeated on the i-STAT until a valid answer is obtained.
d. None of the above.

8. What types of anti-coagulant can be used with the i-STAT system?

a. Lithium or balance heparin

b. B. Ammonium heparin
c. EDTA (purple-top tube)
d. Citrate (blue-top tube)

9. The liquid quality control samples are tested:

a. Once per month

b. Once per year
c. Bi-monthly
d. Once per week.

10. What message is displayed on the i-STAT analyzer screen during transmission of
t
heresult
stot hel ab sdatama na ge me nts
ystem?

a. Uploading
b. Communication in progress
c. I-STAT System-Do Not Disturb!
d. Currently unavailable for testing.

11. During a NICU transport, what identification system will be used to uniquely
label the blood gas card and patient test results in the i-STAT?

a. BabysCl inicNumber.
b. 12334567
c. Pati
entsna meu singt hea l
phanume ri
cke ypa d
.
d. Barcode attached to the Blood Gas information cards (i.e. Baby1 2008,
Baby2 2008, etc)
12. i-STAT problems with the electronic simulator or liquid QC failure should be
reported immediately to:
a. Lab POC Office- Ext. 52387
b. Clinical Engineering
c. Bio-Medical Electronics
d. Abbott Corporation

13. To check the battery voltage level in the analyzer, which Administation Menu
screen option will give you this information?

a. 1-Analyzer Status
b. 2-Data Review
c. 3-Quality Tests
d. 7-Utility

14. Which key is pressed to erase an incorrect entry at the time of testing?

a. Scan
b. Enter
c.
d. Menu

15. Correct cartridge handling is accomplished by:

a. Touching the electrodes on the top of the cartridge.

b. Pressing firmly on the center of the test cartridge
c. Holding the cartridge gently along the side.
d. Closing the sample well cover within one minute of actual sample dosing.

16. A test result that is flagged with *** means that:

a. The cartridge is defective and that all test results are invalid.
b. The individual sensor for that test has been compromised.
c. The analyzer needs to be checked with the electronic simulator.
d. All of the above.