Anesthesia Technologist Practice Exam

Which component is NOT typically part of an autotransfusion device system?

1. Cardiotomy reservoir

2. Centrifuge bowl

3. Blood gas analyzer

4. Reinfusion bag

The correct answer is: Blood gas analyzer

An autotransfusion device system is primarily designed to collect, process, and reinfuse a patient's own blood during or after surgical procedures, often to minimize the need for allogeneic blood transfusions. The components that are commonly included in such systems are aimed at efficiently handling the blood and ensuring its safety for reinfusion. A blood gas analyzer is not a typical component of an autotransfusion device system, as its primary function is to measure parameters such as pH, carbon dioxide, and oxygen levels in blood samples. While monitoring these gas levels is crucial in various medical contexts, it is not directly involved in the processes of collecting, processing, or reinfusing blood in an autotransfusion system. The focus of an autotransfusion device is on the immediate management of blood, and therefore, tools that analyze blood gas levels fall outside of this specific application. In contrast, components such as a cardiotomy reservoir, centrifuge bowl, and reinfusion bag are integral to the functions of an autotransfusion device. The cardiotomy reservoir collects shed blood during surgery, the centrifuge bowl is used to separate cellular components of the blood from plasma, and the reinfusion bag is critical for storing and administering the processed blood back to the patient.