Anesthesia Technician Practice Exam

What is the maximum amount of CO2 that soda lime can absorb per 100g of absorbent?

1. 10L

2. 23L

3. 50L

4. 100L

The correct answer is: 23L

Soda lime is commonly used in anesthetic machines to absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the exhaled gases during anesthesia. The maximum absorption capacity of soda lime is crucial for ensuring the efficacy of the system and preventing rebreathing of CO2 by the patients under anesthesia. The correct answer indicates that soda lime can absorb up to 23 liters of CO2 per 100 grams of the absorbent. This figure is significant in clinical settings, as it highlights the efficiency of soda lime in maintaining low levels of CO2 in the breathing circuit. When soda lime is used, it undergoes a chemical reaction to capture CO2 effectively, which plays a vital role in the patient’s respiratory management. Understanding this absorption capacity is important for anesthesia technicians, as it helps in determining how often to replace the soda lime in the canister to ensure that it remains effective and the patient's safety is maintained during procedures requiring anesthesia. Moreover, knowledge of this parameter aids technicians in making informed choices regarding the stock and usage of absorbents in practice.