Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) Practice Exam

Which of the following materials can absorb CO2 effectively in laboratory settings?

1. Bicarbonate

2. Baking soda

3. Sodalime

4. Calcium hydroxide

The correct answer is: Sodalime

Sodalime is a compound that effectively absorbs carbon dioxide (CO2) in laboratory settings due to its chemical properties. It is a mixture of sodium hydroxide and calcium oxide and is often used in respiratory devices to remove CO2 from exhaled gases or in various experimental setups where CO2 absorption is necessary. The mechanism behind sodalime's effectiveness lies in its ability to react with carbon dioxide to form sodium bicarbonate and calcium carbonate, thus reducing the concentration of CO2 in the environment. This capability makes it particularly valuable in applications such as anesthesia, where the rebreathing of exhaled CO2 can be detrimental. In comparison, bicarbonate, baking soda, and calcium hydroxide play different roles in absorption and neutralization reactions in various chemical processes but do not primarily serve as effective CO2 absorbents in laboratory settings like sodalime.