NFPA-99 Practice Exam

What must be true regarding each station outlet/inlet for medical gas?

1. Gas specific

2. Interchangeable

3. Quick coupler

4. Threaded

The correct answer is: Gas specific

Each station outlet or inlet for medical gas must be gas specific to ensure the safety and proper functioning of medical equipment. Medical gases, such as oxygen, nitrous oxide, and medical air, play critical roles in patient care, and using the correct gas for a specific application is vital to avoid potentially life-threatening errors. Gas-specific outlets or inlets are designed with unique connections and configurations that prevent the accidental interchange of different gas types. This design is part of the safety protocols established in the NFPA 99 standards, which govern the installation and maintenance of medical gas systems. Such specificity helps to mitigate risks such as gas cross-contamination or administering an incorrect gas to a patient. While other types of outlets may have various features, such as quick couplers or threaded connections, these attributes alone do not ensure that the wrong gas is not used. The primary concern is the prevention of mix-ups between different gases, which is why gas-specific is the essential requirement.