Massachusetts Pharmacy Technician License Practice Test

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Prepare for the Massachusetts Pharmacy Technician License Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each providing hints and thorough explanations to ensure exam readiness!

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Which size of needle has the largest diameter?

18 gauge
20 gauge
16 gauge
22 gauge

The correct answer is: 16 gauge

The size of a needle's diameter is measured using a gauge system, where a lower gauge number indicates a larger diameter needle. Therefore, an 18-gauge needle is larger in diameter than a 20-gauge needle, and a 16-gauge needle is larger than both 18 and 20 gauges. The 22-gauge needle, being the highest number among the choices given, is the smallest in diameter. In this context, the selection of the 16-gauge needle as the largest diameter is accurate because it is the lowest numbered gauge in the provided options. The larger diameter of the 16-gauge needle is particularly important in clinical settings where larger volumes of fluids or thicker solutions need to be administered, as it allows for faster infusion rates and reduces the risk of hemolysis when dealing with blood products.