The EC/IR II also monitors which of the following?

The EC/IR II also monitors which of the following?

• A. Carbon dioxide and alcohol slopes
• B. Breath temperature
• C. Humidity and flow rate
• D. Ambient pressure and altitude

Answer: (A)

The EC/IR II validates a breath sample by looking at signals beyond just ethanol concentration. It monitors the carbon dioxide level in the breath to confirm the sample is alveolar air, not just a shallow or contaminated exhale. It also tracks the slope of the alcohol signal during exhalation to ensure a proper plateau is reached, which indicates a valid deep-lung breath sample. If the CO2 level isn’t consistent with alveolar air or the alcohol slope doesn’t show the expected pattern, the sample can be invalidated or a retest requested. While factors like breath temperature, humidity, flow, or ambient pressure can influence readings, the device’s built-in validity checks focus on carbon dioxide and the alcohol slope.

The EC/IR II validates a breath sample by looking at signals beyond just ethanol concentration. It monitors the carbon dioxide level in the breath to confirm the sample is alveolar air, not just a shallow or contaminated exhale. It also tracks the slope of the alcohol signal during exhalation to ensure a proper plateau is reached, which indicates a valid deep-lung breath sample. If the CO2 level isn’t consistent with alveolar air or the alcohol slope doesn’t show the expected pattern, the sample can be invalidated or a retest requested. While factors like breath temperature, humidity, flow, or ambient pressure can influence readings, the device’s built-in validity checks focus on carbon dioxide and the alcohol slope.