NBRC Practice TMC (2025-2026) Test
Exam with Correct Verified and Well
Analyzed Answers Graded A+
A patient shows a right sided pleural effusion. Which of the following
should the respiratory therapist recommend?
A. sputum culture and gram stain
B. diagnostic bronchoscopy
C. pleurodesis
D. thoracentesis
D. Thoracentesis
Thoracentesis - a medical procedure that involves inserting a needle
or catheter into the chest wall to remove fluid or air from the pleural
space, the space between the lungs and chest wall.
A pt with exacerbation of COPD is receiving NPPV in spontaneous
mode with a nasal mask. The following data are available:
FiO2 : 0.24 RR : 28/min IPAP : 12 cmH2O EPAP: 6 cmH2O
One hour later, the following data are available:
pH : 7.27 PaCO2 : 76 mmHg PaO2 : 62 mmHg HCO3- : 35 mEq/L BE :
+5 mEq/L SaO2(calc) : 90%
The inspiratory phase is prolonged and dyssynchrony is noted.
Which of the following should a RT do FIRST?
A. Increase the FiO2 to 0.28
B. Increase to EPAP 8 cmH2O
C. Change to a full-face mask
D. Change the ventilator circuit
C. Change to a full-face mask
A pt who is 6'2" tall and weighs 98kg is receiving VC ventilation with
Vt 600mL. A RT observes the low exhaled volume and low pressure
,alarms activating with each breath. The following data are available:
Vte: 340-390mL; ETT size: 8.5mm; ETT cuff pressure: 19cmH2O; ETT
position: 18cm@incisor; HR 98; RR 32; SpO2 83%
Which of the following should the RT do?
A. advance the ETT @22cm
B. adjust the cuff pressure to 30cmH2O
C. increase the Vt to 700mL
D. reintubate with a larger ETT
A. advance the ETT @22cm
Advance ETT before adjusting cuff pressure
A RT is assisting a physician with insertion of a chest tube in a pt with
a pleural effusion. After the tube is place and the chest drainage
system is functioning properly, which of the following should be
observed in the water-seal chamber?
A. Continuous bubbling
B. Water level functioning with breathing
C. The water becoming cloudy
D. No visible liquid
B. Water level functioning with breathing
A mini-bronchoalveolar lavage procedure is recommended for
diagnosis?
A. ventilator associated pneumonia
B. pleural effusion
C. pulmonary embolism
D. idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
A. ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP)
A 44yo pt who underwent abdominal surgery is receiving vibratory
PEP therapy. After 24hr of q4h therapy, the patient can ambulate
independently while breathing air. A respiratory therapist should
recommend?
A. discontinuing therapy
B. obtaining an ABG analysis
, C. performing a 6MWT
D. changing frequency of therapy to q8h
A. discontinuing therapy
A RT is reviewing a chart of a 60yo male who is 5'10" tall, weighs 73kg
and has moderate dyspnea. The CXR reports indicates the pt has
flattened diaphragm, severe hyperinflation, and small cardiothoracic
ratio. The PFT results are as follows: FVC 2.45L; FEV1/FVC% 48%;
FEF25-75% 1.25L/sec; FRC by Helium dilution: 3.75L; RV/TLC% 45%;
DLCO 12mL/min/mmHg
Which of the following should the RT review to further evaluate the
extent of air trapping?
A. flow-volume loop
B. post bronchodilator therapy
C. nitrogen washout
D. body plethysmography
A. flow-volume loop
Which of the following devices best measures the accuracy of an
air/O2 blender?
A. capnometer
B. pressure manometer
C. O2 flowmeter
D. polargraphic analyzer
D. polargraphic analyzer
Before initiating tracheostomy tube change, the respiratory therapist
should
A. check the new tracheostomy tube cuff
B. recommend sedating the pt
C. administer intratracheal lidocaine HCl
D. obtain a larger tracheostomy tube.
A. check the new tracheostomy tube cuff
A 38yo male is being considered for possible extubation after
receiving treatment for an asthma exacerbation over the last 36hrs.
Breath sounds are clear, and no current distress is noted. While
receiving an FiO2 of 0.40, PS of 15cmH2O, and 8cmH2O PEEP,
Exam with Correct Verified and Well
Analyzed Answers Graded A+
A patient shows a right sided pleural effusion. Which of the following
should the respiratory therapist recommend?
A. sputum culture and gram stain
B. diagnostic bronchoscopy
C. pleurodesis
D. thoracentesis
D. Thoracentesis
Thoracentesis - a medical procedure that involves inserting a needle
or catheter into the chest wall to remove fluid or air from the pleural
space, the space between the lungs and chest wall.
A pt with exacerbation of COPD is receiving NPPV in spontaneous
mode with a nasal mask. The following data are available:
FiO2 : 0.24 RR : 28/min IPAP : 12 cmH2O EPAP: 6 cmH2O
One hour later, the following data are available:
pH : 7.27 PaCO2 : 76 mmHg PaO2 : 62 mmHg HCO3- : 35 mEq/L BE :
+5 mEq/L SaO2(calc) : 90%
The inspiratory phase is prolonged and dyssynchrony is noted.
Which of the following should a RT do FIRST?
A. Increase the FiO2 to 0.28
B. Increase to EPAP 8 cmH2O
C. Change to a full-face mask
D. Change the ventilator circuit
C. Change to a full-face mask
A pt who is 6'2" tall and weighs 98kg is receiving VC ventilation with
Vt 600mL. A RT observes the low exhaled volume and low pressure
,alarms activating with each breath. The following data are available:
Vte: 340-390mL; ETT size: 8.5mm; ETT cuff pressure: 19cmH2O; ETT
position: 18cm@incisor; HR 98; RR 32; SpO2 83%
Which of the following should the RT do?
A. advance the ETT @22cm
B. adjust the cuff pressure to 30cmH2O
C. increase the Vt to 700mL
D. reintubate with a larger ETT
A. advance the ETT @22cm
Advance ETT before adjusting cuff pressure
A RT is assisting a physician with insertion of a chest tube in a pt with
a pleural effusion. After the tube is place and the chest drainage
system is functioning properly, which of the following should be
observed in the water-seal chamber?
A. Continuous bubbling
B. Water level functioning with breathing
C. The water becoming cloudy
D. No visible liquid
B. Water level functioning with breathing
A mini-bronchoalveolar lavage procedure is recommended for
diagnosis?
A. ventilator associated pneumonia
B. pleural effusion
C. pulmonary embolism
D. idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
A. ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP)
A 44yo pt who underwent abdominal surgery is receiving vibratory
PEP therapy. After 24hr of q4h therapy, the patient can ambulate
independently while breathing air. A respiratory therapist should
recommend?
A. discontinuing therapy
B. obtaining an ABG analysis
, C. performing a 6MWT
D. changing frequency of therapy to q8h
A. discontinuing therapy
A RT is reviewing a chart of a 60yo male who is 5'10" tall, weighs 73kg
and has moderate dyspnea. The CXR reports indicates the pt has
flattened diaphragm, severe hyperinflation, and small cardiothoracic
ratio. The PFT results are as follows: FVC 2.45L; FEV1/FVC% 48%;
FEF25-75% 1.25L/sec; FRC by Helium dilution: 3.75L; RV/TLC% 45%;
DLCO 12mL/min/mmHg
Which of the following should the RT review to further evaluate the
extent of air trapping?
A. flow-volume loop
B. post bronchodilator therapy
C. nitrogen washout
D. body plethysmography
A. flow-volume loop
Which of the following devices best measures the accuracy of an
air/O2 blender?
A. capnometer
B. pressure manometer
C. O2 flowmeter
D. polargraphic analyzer
D. polargraphic analyzer
Before initiating tracheostomy tube change, the respiratory therapist
should
A. check the new tracheostomy tube cuff
B. recommend sedating the pt
C. administer intratracheal lidocaine HCl
D. obtain a larger tracheostomy tube.
A. check the new tracheostomy tube cuff
A 38yo male is being considered for possible extubation after
receiving treatment for an asthma exacerbation over the last 36hrs.
Breath sounds are clear, and no current distress is noted. While
receiving an FiO2 of 0.40, PS of 15cmH2O, and 8cmH2O PEEP,
