Anesthesia Technician Practice Exam

How should FIO2 monitors be calibrated?

1. Once a day

2. Calibrated to room air (21% O2)

3. Calibrated after every patient

4. Calibrated every week

The correct answer is: Calibrated to room air (21% O2)

FIO2 monitors should be calibrated to room air, which contains 21% oxygen. This approach establishes a baseline measurement against which all subsequent readings can be compared. By calibrating the monitor to the known concentration of oxygen in room air, it ensures accurate detection of changes in the fraction of inspired oxygen when used in clinical settings. This calibration process is essential to maintain the accuracy of the device, as environmental factors or device drift can affect its performance. Establishing the baseline at 21% oxygen means that any increase in the percentage reading can be directly correlated to supplemental oxygen being administered. While calibrating once a day, after every patient, or weekly are all potential practices that could vary based on institutional protocols or specific device recommendations, they do not replace the necessity of establishing that initial reference point to reflect accurate measurements during patient care.