RRT COMPREHENSIVE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS PACK
2026
▶ 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
▶ cough in bronchiectasis patients. Answer: productive with purulent foul
smelling sputum, hemoptysis and three layer sputum, may be blood
streaked
▶ appearance of chest in bronchiectasis. Answer: barrel chest, increased
ap diameter
▶ respiratory pattern of bronchiectasis. Answer: accessory muscle usage
, ▶ color in bronchiectasis patients. Answer: cyanotic
▶ diagnostic chest percussion in bronchiectasis. Answer: hyperresonant/
tympanic note
▶ breath sounds in bronchiectasis patients. Answer: wheezing, diminished
breath sounds
▶ chest xray on bronchiectasis patients. Answer: hyperlucent lung fields,
depressed or flattened diaphragm, enlarged heart
▶ sputum on bronchiectasis patients. Answer: may indicate infection
▶ special diagnostic tests for bronchiectasis. Answer: CT scan
▶ Treatment for bronchiectasis. Answer: 1) bronchopulmonary hygiene
2) lung expansion therapy
3) expectorants
4) aerosolized medication
5) surgical resection of involved segments if necessary
6) oxygen
7) avoid triggers
▶ Sleep apnea definition. Answer: have more than five episodes of apnea
per hour that may occur in rem and/or non rem sleep over a six hour period
▶ etiology of sleep disorders. Answer: 1) central - failure of resp center of
brain to communicate with resp muscles
2) obstructive
3) mixed
▶ Past medical history of sleep disorders. Answer: daytime sleepiness,
insomnia at night, loud snoring with periods of apnea, morning headaches,
hypothyroidism, abrupt nighttime awakenings, awakening with dry mouth or
sore throat
▶ physical appearance of sleep disorders. Answer: overweight, short
stocky neck, enlarged tonsils, adenoids and/or tongue
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS PACK
2026
▶ 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
▶ cough in bronchiectasis patients. Answer: productive with purulent foul
smelling sputum, hemoptysis and three layer sputum, may be blood
streaked
▶ appearance of chest in bronchiectasis. Answer: barrel chest, increased
ap diameter
▶ respiratory pattern of bronchiectasis. Answer: accessory muscle usage
, ▶ color in bronchiectasis patients. Answer: cyanotic
▶ diagnostic chest percussion in bronchiectasis. Answer: hyperresonant/
tympanic note
▶ breath sounds in bronchiectasis patients. Answer: wheezing, diminished
breath sounds
▶ chest xray on bronchiectasis patients. Answer: hyperlucent lung fields,
depressed or flattened diaphragm, enlarged heart
▶ sputum on bronchiectasis patients. Answer: may indicate infection
▶ special diagnostic tests for bronchiectasis. Answer: CT scan
▶ Treatment for bronchiectasis. Answer: 1) bronchopulmonary hygiene
2) lung expansion therapy
3) expectorants
4) aerosolized medication
5) surgical resection of involved segments if necessary
6) oxygen
7) avoid triggers
▶ Sleep apnea definition. Answer: have more than five episodes of apnea
per hour that may occur in rem and/or non rem sleep over a six hour period
▶ etiology of sleep disorders. Answer: 1) central - failure of resp center of
brain to communicate with resp muscles
2) obstructive
3) mixed
▶ Past medical history of sleep disorders. Answer: daytime sleepiness,
insomnia at night, loud snoring with periods of apnea, morning headaches,
hypothyroidism, abrupt nighttime awakenings, awakening with dry mouth or
sore throat
▶ physical appearance of sleep disorders. Answer: overweight, short
stocky neck, enlarged tonsils, adenoids and/or tongue
