Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) Practice Test

If a transducer falls off the table and is not re-zeroed, what is the expected outcome on pressure readings?

1. The readings will not be affected

2. The pressure readings will be lower

3. The pressure readings will be distorted

4. The readings will be higher

The correct answer is: The pressure readings will be distorted

When a transducer is improperly positioned—such as when it falls off the table—gravity can influence the pressure it registers. Transducers are designed to measure pressure accurately based on their calibration, which includes a predetermined reference position. If the transducer is tilted or its reference point changes due to falling, it may not measure the pressure accurately, leading to distorted readings. This distortion can manifest in several ways, such as incorrectly high or low measurements, depending on how the transducer is affected. Since the device isn't re-zeroed or recalibrated after the incident, it will not reflect the true pressure readings accurately, resulting in confusion during monitoring. Other options do not capture the main phenomenon associated with a change in the transducer's position without proper calibration. The readings are not left unaffected, and while they could theoretically be lower or higher due to distortion, there is no guarantee of this since the most significant impact will be a distortion in the accuracy of those measurements.