During preparation, what should be done to check the balloon for leaks?

• A. Hold inflated balloon under water and look for air bubbles
• B. Inflate to maximum
• C. Shake lumen
• D. Expose to room air briefly

Answer: (A)

Leak testing relies on detecting any breach in the balloon wall. Submerging the inflated balloon under water and watching for air bubbles reveals even small leaks, because gas inside the balloon escapes through any defect and forms visible bubbles. This method directly demonstrates whether the balloon can hold pressure without leaking, which is essential for safe use in procedures. Do the test at the intended working pressure and use sterile technique; if bubbles appear, the balloon is not safe to use and should be replaced. Other options don’t reliably reveal leaks and can be unsafe or ineffective—inflating to maximum risks rupture without detecting a leak, shaking the lumen doesn’t stress-test the wall for breaches, and exposing to room air briefly doesn’t test integrity and can compromise sterility.