NFPA-99 Practice Exam

Medical air sources shall be used only for which of the following purposes?

1. Air operating devices

2. Calibration of medical respiratory devices

3. Disinfecting tools

4. Instrument air

The correct answer is: Calibration of medical respiratory devices

The use of medical air is specifically intended for medical respiratory devices, which is why the selection concerning calibration of these devices is the correct choice. Medical air is a vital component in ensuring that respiratory equipment operates accurately and safely. It provides a clean, dry, and oxygen-free source of air that is necessary for accurately calibrating devices that deliver inhaled medications or assist patients in breathing. Other purposes, while they may seem relevant in some contexts, do not align with the established guidelines for the use of medical air. For example, air operating devices can typically function adequately with standard compressed air, and using medical air for general air supply in instruments or tools unrelated to respiratory care is outside its intended scope. Similarly, though disinfecting tools may require compressed air in some contexts, medical air is not designated for disinfecting purposes, thereby reinforcing that its use must be specific to medical respiratory applications.