Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) Practice Exam

What should you remove to make a pulmonary function testing (PFT) lab safer for infection control?

1. Small volume nebulizers

2. Routine thermometers

3. Patient seating areas

4. Hand sanitizers

The correct answer is: Small volume nebulizers

Removing small volume nebulizers is a crucial step in enhancing infection control in a pulmonary function testing (PFT) lab. These devices aerosolize medications and, in doing so, can also disperse infectious particles into the air. This presents a risk not only to the patient receiving the treatment but also to healthcare providers and other patients in the vicinity. In an environment where respiratory infections can easily spread, reducing or eliminating the use of nebulizers helps to minimize airborne transmission of pathogens. In contrast, routine thermometers are essential for monitoring patient health, particularly in identifying fever or other signs of infection; hence, they should remain. Patient seating areas are necessary for patient comfort and operational efficiency; therefore, their removal would not contribute positively to infection control. Hand sanitizers are critical in reducing the risk of infection by promoting hand hygiene among staff and visitors, and they must be readily available to ensure a safe environment. Thus, eliminating nebulizers is pivotal to maintaining a safer PFT lab regarding infection transmission risks.