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What type of valve is typically used in medical gas systems to prevent the backflow of gases?

  1. Ball valve

  2. Check valve

  3. Relief valve

  4. Isolation valve

The correct answer is: Check valve

The correct answer is the check valve, which is specifically designed to prevent the backflow of gases in medical gas systems. Check valves are one-way valves that allow fluid (or gas) to flow in only one direction. This functionality is critical in medical gas applications to ensure that gases—such as oxygen or nitrous oxide—do not flow back into the supply lines or allow contaminants from other systems to enter. By maintaining a one-way flow, check valves help ensure the safety and integrity of medical gas delivery systems, which is vital for patient care. In the context of other valve types, while ball valves and isolation valves are effective for turning gas flow on or off, they do not inherently prevent backflow. Relief valves, on the other hand, are designed to relieve excessive pressure and are not intended for backflow prevention. Therefore, the check valve stands out as the correct choice for this specific purpose in medical gas systems.