Tech,lasers,electronics

. What is hardware?

Answer: The physical parts of a computer, including the CPU, keyboard, monitor, modem, and storage devices

2. What is software?

Answer: Programs that operate the computer and allow users to perform tasks such as word processing, email, and internet access.

3. What is an EMR (Electronic Medical Record)?

Answer: A digital version of a patient's chart used within one healthcare system. It contains the patient's medical and treatment history but is not easily shared outside that system.

4. What is an EHR (Electronic Health Record)?

Answer: A broader electronic record that shares patient information securely among multiple healthcare providers

5. What is the difference between an EMR and an EHR?

Answer: EMRs stay within one healthcare facility, while EHRs allow secure sharing of patient information among different healthcare providers.

6. What is word processing?

Answer: Creating and editing document files using programs such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs.

7. What information does the circulator enter into the digital chart?

Answer: Procedure information, billing codes, inventory used, and the patient's condition throughout surgery

8. Why are barcode scanners used?

Answer: To track supplies, patient identification, billing, patient records, and inventory resupply.

9. What is RFID?

Answer: Radio-Frequency Identification uses radio waves and microchips to track items such as surgical sponges, medications, and specimens while reducing human error

10. What are electronic preference cards?

Answer: Digital lists of equipment, supplies, and instruments needed for specific procedures according to surgeon preferences.

11. What are Safety Data Sheets (SDS)?

Answer: Electronic records containing information about chemicals and solutions used in healthcare facilities.

12. What does HIPAA protect?

Answer: Protected Health Information (PHI), including patient profiles, referrals, billing records, prescriptions, admissions, and discharge information.

13. What is matter?

Answer: Anything that has mass and occupies space; it is made of atoms.

14. What are the three particles of an atom?

Answer: Protons, neutrons, and electrons.

15. What is a conductor? Give examples.

Answer: A material that allows electrons to flow freely. Examples include copper, brass, zinc, iron, and water

16. What is an insulator? Give examples.

Answer: A material that prevents electron flow. Examples include rubber and plastic.

17. What is electric current?

Answer: The movement of electrical charge (electrons).

18. What is voltage?

Answer: The electrical potential energy between two points.

19. What is current measured in?

Answer: Amperes (amps)

20. What voltage do standard wall outlets provide?

Answer: 110 volts or 220 volts.

21. What are the three prongs on an electrical plug?

Answer: Positive, negative, and ground

22. What is DC (Direct Current)?

Answer: Electrical current that flows in one direction.

23. What is AC (Alternating Current)?

Answer: Electrical current that periodically reverses direction.

24. Why is the isolated power system important in the OR?

Answer: It monitors electrical overloads and helps prevent fires.

25. What is electrosurgery?

Answer: The use of electrical current to cut or coagulate tissue.

26. What are the components of an ESU circuit?

Answer: Generator, active electrode, patient, and dispersive (grounding) electrode.

27. Which mode is most commonly used for cutting and coagulation?

Answer: Monopolar electrosurgery.

28. What is bipolar electrosurgery mainly used for?

Answer: Coagulation during delicate procedures.

29. What are the advantages of electrosurgery?

Answer: Reduces blood loss, controls bleeding quickly, saves time, and seals small blood and lymphatic vessels

30. What hazards are associated with electrosurgery?

Answer: Electrical burns, capacitive coupling, dielectric breakdown, and surgical smoke (plume).

31. What is ultrasonic energy (harmonic scalpel)?

Answer: Mechanical vibration that coagulates tissue at lower temperatures without requiring a grounding pad.

32. What is plasma vaporization used for?

Answer: Vaporizing tissue, commonly for treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH).

33. What does LASER stand for?

Answer: Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation.

34. What are the four interactions of laser energy with tissue?

Answer: Absorption, transmission, reflection, and scattering.

35. What are the major parts of a laser?

Answer: Energy pump, laser head, auxiliary components, control panel, and delivery system.

36. Which laser is used most frequently?

Answer: CO₂ laser.

37. What is the diode laser commonly used for?

Answer: Soft tissue ablation, dental procedures, and vascular lesions.

38. What are the major laser safety risks?

Answer: Fire, eye injury, and hazards from surgical plume.

39. Who should oversee laser safety in a healthcare facility?

Answer: The Laser Safety Officer (LSO).