Certified Respiratory Therapist Practice Exam

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Prepare for the Certified Respiratory Therapist Test. Review flashcards and multiple choice questions with explanations and hints. Get exam-ready!

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Which hemoximeter measurement is sensitive to air contamination?

HbCO levels
MetHb levels
SHb levels
HbO2 levels

The correct answer is: HbO2 levels

The sensitivity of hemoximeter measurements to air contamination is particularly evident in the measurement of oxygen saturation, also known as HbO2 levels. When blood samples are exposed to air, the solubility of oxygen in the blood increases, potentially leading to artificially elevated readings of oxygen saturation. This phenomenon occurs because the hemoximeter can misinterpret the presence of additional oxygen molecules as an increase in the percentage of hemoglobin that is bound to oxygen, thus skewing the actual measurement. In clinical settings, accurate assessment of oxygen saturation is crucial for determining a patient's level of respiratory function. Any contamination with air can lead to misleading results and improper treatment decisions. Therefore, careful handling of blood samples before analysis is essential to maintain the integrity of hemoximeter measurements, particularly for HbO2 levels. Other measurements like HbCO levels (carboxyhemoglobin), MetHb levels (methemoglobin), and SHb levels (deoxyhemoglobin) have their sensitivities and specific implications, but they do not exhibit the same susceptibility to inaccuracies from air contamination as the oxygen saturation measurement does.