RRT ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE 2026
▶ color of emphysema patient. Answer: often reddish skin
▶ color of chronic bronchitis patient. Answer: cyanotic
▶ clubbing with emphysema patient. Answer: late stage
▶ clubbing with chronic bronchitis patient. Answer: common
▶ diagnostic chest percussion for emphysema patients. Answer:
hyperresonant/tympanic note
▶ diagnostic chest percussion for chronic bronchitis patients. Answer:
normal
▶ breath sounds for emphysema patients. Answer: diminished breath
sounds, prolonged expiration
▶ breath sounds for chronic bronchitis patients. Answer: rhonichi,
crackles, wheezes
▶ chest xray for emphysema patients. Answer: translucent (dark) lung
fields, depressed or flattened diaphragms, long and narrow heart,
increased retrosternal air space, possibly hypertrophy of right ventricle
▶ chest xray for chronic bronchitis patients. Answer: translucent (dark)
lung fields, depressed or flattened diaphragms, possibly hypertrophy of
right ventricle
▶ pulmonary function for emphysema patients. Answer: decreased flow
rates, decreased DLco
, ▶ pulmonary function for chronic bronchitis. Answer: decreased flow rates,
normal DLco normal
▶ CBC for emphysema. Answer: increased RBC/HB/Hct in late stages
▶ CBC for chronic bronchitis. Answer: increased RBC/HB/Hct in early and
late stages
▶ sputum for emphysema patients. Answer: normal
▶ sputum for chronic bronchitis patients. Answer: often shows:
streptococcus pneumoniae, haemophilus influenzae, moraxella catarrhalis
▶ treatment for emphysema or chronic bronchitis. Answer: 1) low flow
oxygen therapy: nasal cannula at 1-2 l/m or 24-28% air entrainment mask
2) bronchodilators
3) inhaled corticosteroids
4) NPPV for accute exacerbations
▶ Bronchiectasis definition. Answer: chronic dilation and distortion of one
or more bronchi as a result of excessive inflammation and destruction of
bronchial walls, blood vessels, elastic tissue and smooth muscle. results in
impaired mucociliary clearance causing accumulation of copious amounts
of bronchial secretions
▶ Bronchiectasis involvement. Answer: 1) one or both lungs may be
involved
2) commonly limited to a lobe or segment
3) frequently found in lower lobes
4) can create an obstructive or restrictive pattern, or a combination of both
▶ Etiology of bronchiectasis. Answer: 1) not always clear in >60% of
cases
2) acquired
3) congenital (50% of cases from CF and 20% form kartagener's
syndrome)
▶ past medical history of bronchiectasis. Answer: recurrent pulmonary
infections, CF, kartagener's syndome
COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE 2026
▶ color of emphysema patient. Answer: often reddish skin
▶ color of chronic bronchitis patient. Answer: cyanotic
▶ clubbing with emphysema patient. Answer: late stage
▶ clubbing with chronic bronchitis patient. Answer: common
▶ diagnostic chest percussion for emphysema patients. Answer:
hyperresonant/tympanic note
▶ diagnostic chest percussion for chronic bronchitis patients. Answer:
normal
▶ breath sounds for emphysema patients. Answer: diminished breath
sounds, prolonged expiration
▶ breath sounds for chronic bronchitis patients. Answer: rhonichi,
crackles, wheezes
▶ chest xray for emphysema patients. Answer: translucent (dark) lung
fields, depressed or flattened diaphragms, long and narrow heart,
increased retrosternal air space, possibly hypertrophy of right ventricle
▶ chest xray for chronic bronchitis patients. Answer: translucent (dark)
lung fields, depressed or flattened diaphragms, possibly hypertrophy of
right ventricle
▶ pulmonary function for emphysema patients. Answer: decreased flow
rates, decreased DLco
, ▶ pulmonary function for chronic bronchitis. Answer: decreased flow rates,
normal DLco normal
▶ CBC for emphysema. Answer: increased RBC/HB/Hct in late stages
▶ CBC for chronic bronchitis. Answer: increased RBC/HB/Hct in early and
late stages
▶ sputum for emphysema patients. Answer: normal
▶ sputum for chronic bronchitis patients. Answer: often shows:
streptococcus pneumoniae, haemophilus influenzae, moraxella catarrhalis
▶ treatment for emphysema or chronic bronchitis. Answer: 1) low flow
oxygen therapy: nasal cannula at 1-2 l/m or 24-28% air entrainment mask
2) bronchodilators
3) inhaled corticosteroids
4) NPPV for accute exacerbations
▶ Bronchiectasis definition. Answer: chronic dilation and distortion of one
or more bronchi as a result of excessive inflammation and destruction of
bronchial walls, blood vessels, elastic tissue and smooth muscle. results in
impaired mucociliary clearance causing accumulation of copious amounts
of bronchial secretions
▶ Bronchiectasis involvement. Answer: 1) one or both lungs may be
involved
2) commonly limited to a lobe or segment
3) frequently found in lower lobes
4) can create an obstructive or restrictive pattern, or a combination of both
▶ Etiology of bronchiectasis. Answer: 1) not always clear in >60% of
cases
2) acquired
3) congenital (50% of cases from CF and 20% form kartagener's
syndrome)
▶ past medical history of bronchiectasis. Answer: recurrent pulmonary
infections, CF, kartagener's syndome
