Unit Test 1 Study Guide – Egan’s Respiratory Therapy
(Ch. 1, 3, 6, 15, 37 & 38) | Exam-Style Questions &
Verified A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
What type of water should be placed a in nebulizer?
A. Distilled Water
B. Tap Water
C. Normal saline solution
D. Sterile distilled water
D. Sterile distilled water
To help lower the risk of a nosocomial infection when using heated aerosol systems, the
respiratory therapist should do which of the following?
1. Label the equipment with the date and time it started.
2. Avoid draining the tubing to prevent contamination
3. Use aseptic technique during the initial setup
4. Use a filter or heat and moisture exchanger to reduce airborne bacteria
A. 1 and 3
B. 1 and 2
C. 2 and 4
D. 3 and 4
A. 1 and 3
The best way to prevent the spread of infection in the ICU is to
A. Ensure that sterilized equipment is used
B. Wash your hands after every patient contact
C. Wear gloves when you come in contact with body fluids
D. Isolate infected patients
B. Wash your hands after every patient contact
A blood gas analyzer is being calibrated with a 5% mixture of carbon dioxide and balance
nitrogen. If the barometric pressure is 747 mm Hg, what reading would be most correct for the
CO2 electrode of the analyzer?
A. 35 mm Hg
B. 37 mm Hg
C. 7.47 mm Hg
D. 74.7 mm Hg
,B. 37 mm Hg
What is the most significant factor affecting airway resistance?
A. Airway length
B. Airway radius
C. Gas viscosity
D. Gas flow rate
B. Airway Radius
A respiratory therapist has completed SOAP charting in the progress notes following a
bronchodilator treatment. While signing the chart form, she notices that the wrong amount for
the medication has been entered. Which of the following actions should be done at this time?
1. Draw one line through the error
2. Notify the physician of the error
3. Write "Error" and initial
4. Recopy the progress notes
A. 1 and 2
B. 1 and 3
C. 2 and 4
D. 3 and 4
B. 1 and 3
An asthmatic patient has orders for albuterol by medication nebulizer every 2 hours. During the
shift, the patient improves, and the order is changed to every 4 hours. In regard to the new
frequency, what action should you take?
1. Note the change in your charting
2. Inform the registered nurse of the order
3. Frequency will change on the next shift
A. 1 and 2
B. 1 and 3
C. 2 and 3
D. 1, 2, and 3
D. 1, 2, and 3
A patient's heart rate increase from 88 to 134 beats/minute following a breathing treatment.
After reassuring the patient, the respiratory therapist should.
A. Discontinue the therapy
B. Reduce the dosage of the medication
, C. Place the patient on oxygen
D. Notify the physician
D. Notify the physician.
During a chest examination of an intubated patient, the RT palpates vibrations on exhalation
over the upper chest. What action should be taken at this time?
A. The patient should be given a brochodilator
B. The patient should be suctioned
C. The patient should be given supplemental oxygen
D. The patient should be placed on mechanical ventilation
B. The patient should be suctioned
A patient's medical record indicated that he has orthopnea. Which of the following best
describes this condition?
A. Difficulty breathing at night
B. Difficulty breathing when upright
C. Difficulty breathing on exertion
D. Difficulty breathing when lying down
D. Difficulty breathing when lying down
A child is brought to the emergency department for severe respiratory distress. Upon entering
the room, the RT hears a high-pitched sound when the child inhales. This is most likely
A. Wheezing
B. Stridor
C. Rhonchi
D. Crackles
B. Stridor
An RT is asked to evaluated a patient for oxygen therapy. She notices that the patient is sleepy
but arouses when questioned. This level of consciousness is best described as
A. Confused
B. Obtunded
C. Stuporous
D. Lethargic
D. Lethargic
Which of the following breath sounds is most likely to be heard during acute exacerbation of
asthma?
(Ch. 1, 3, 6, 15, 37 & 38) | Exam-Style Questions &
Verified A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
What type of water should be placed a in nebulizer?
A. Distilled Water
B. Tap Water
C. Normal saline solution
D. Sterile distilled water
D. Sterile distilled water
To help lower the risk of a nosocomial infection when using heated aerosol systems, the
respiratory therapist should do which of the following?
1. Label the equipment with the date and time it started.
2. Avoid draining the tubing to prevent contamination
3. Use aseptic technique during the initial setup
4. Use a filter or heat and moisture exchanger to reduce airborne bacteria
A. 1 and 3
B. 1 and 2
C. 2 and 4
D. 3 and 4
A. 1 and 3
The best way to prevent the spread of infection in the ICU is to
A. Ensure that sterilized equipment is used
B. Wash your hands after every patient contact
C. Wear gloves when you come in contact with body fluids
D. Isolate infected patients
B. Wash your hands after every patient contact
A blood gas analyzer is being calibrated with a 5% mixture of carbon dioxide and balance
nitrogen. If the barometric pressure is 747 mm Hg, what reading would be most correct for the
CO2 electrode of the analyzer?
A. 35 mm Hg
B. 37 mm Hg
C. 7.47 mm Hg
D. 74.7 mm Hg
,B. 37 mm Hg
What is the most significant factor affecting airway resistance?
A. Airway length
B. Airway radius
C. Gas viscosity
D. Gas flow rate
B. Airway Radius
A respiratory therapist has completed SOAP charting in the progress notes following a
bronchodilator treatment. While signing the chart form, she notices that the wrong amount for
the medication has been entered. Which of the following actions should be done at this time?
1. Draw one line through the error
2. Notify the physician of the error
3. Write "Error" and initial
4. Recopy the progress notes
A. 1 and 2
B. 1 and 3
C. 2 and 4
D. 3 and 4
B. 1 and 3
An asthmatic patient has orders for albuterol by medication nebulizer every 2 hours. During the
shift, the patient improves, and the order is changed to every 4 hours. In regard to the new
frequency, what action should you take?
1. Note the change in your charting
2. Inform the registered nurse of the order
3. Frequency will change on the next shift
A. 1 and 2
B. 1 and 3
C. 2 and 3
D. 1, 2, and 3
D. 1, 2, and 3
A patient's heart rate increase from 88 to 134 beats/minute following a breathing treatment.
After reassuring the patient, the respiratory therapist should.
A. Discontinue the therapy
B. Reduce the dosage of the medication
, C. Place the patient on oxygen
D. Notify the physician
D. Notify the physician.
During a chest examination of an intubated patient, the RT palpates vibrations on exhalation
over the upper chest. What action should be taken at this time?
A. The patient should be given a brochodilator
B. The patient should be suctioned
C. The patient should be given supplemental oxygen
D. The patient should be placed on mechanical ventilation
B. The patient should be suctioned
A patient's medical record indicated that he has orthopnea. Which of the following best
describes this condition?
A. Difficulty breathing at night
B. Difficulty breathing when upright
C. Difficulty breathing on exertion
D. Difficulty breathing when lying down
D. Difficulty breathing when lying down
A child is brought to the emergency department for severe respiratory distress. Upon entering
the room, the RT hears a high-pitched sound when the child inhales. This is most likely
A. Wheezing
B. Stridor
C. Rhonchi
D. Crackles
B. Stridor
An RT is asked to evaluated a patient for oxygen therapy. She notices that the patient is sleepy
but arouses when questioned. This level of consciousness is best described as
A. Confused
B. Obtunded
C. Stuporous
D. Lethargic
D. Lethargic
Which of the following breath sounds is most likely to be heard during acute exacerbation of
asthma?
