NBRC Study Guide (National Board of Respiratory
Care) TEST BANK FINAL EXAM PREPARATION 2026-2027
NEWEST VERSION A& B WITH COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
ACCURATE DETAILED ANSWERS (RATIONALES) LATEST
UPDATE!! ACTUAL TEST BANK FINAL EXAM ALREADY GRADED
A+
Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)
To measure level of consciousness (LOC)
Eye opening: spontaneous 4, in response to voice 3, respond to pain 2,
none 1 Verbal response: oriented 5, confused 4, inappropriate words 3,
incomprehensible words 2, none 1
Motor response: obeys commands 6, localizes 5, withdraws 4, flexes
(decorticate) 3, extends (decerebrate) 2, none 1
• > 13 minor impairment
• 9-12 moderate impairment
• < 8 severe impairment
iatrogenic
of or relating to illness caused by medical examination or treatment
Jugular Vein Distension (JVD)
- Occurs with CHF and pneumothorax
- most commonly bc of right vent fail due to chronic hypoxemia and CHF
,pleurodesis
pleural space is artificially obliterated
- requires a hemostat, and 3 way stop cock
macroglossia
swelling or enlargement of the tongue
- bc of trauma, or congenital (ie Down's Syndrome)
Orthopnea
Difficulty breathing except in the upright position
- can relate to CHF
,tracheal shift
- causes
Toward abnormality:
- pneumonectomy (lung removal)
- atelectasis
- lung collapse
- unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis
Away from abnormality:
- pneumothorax
- hemothorax
- pleural effusion
- lung tumor
- neck tumor
- diaphragmatic hernia
, Pulsus
paradoxus vs.
Pulsus alterans
Pulsus paradoxus: Significant reduction in pulse strength during inhalation
by 10+ BPM
- could be bc status asthmaticus causing air trapping
Pulsus alterans: Succession of strong and weak pulses, but rate doesn't
change
- could be due to MI or CHF
Pectus
carinatum vs.
Pectus excavatum
Pectus carinatum: Anterior protrusion of the sternum "pigeon-chest"
Pectus excavatum: Depression of the sternum
Kyphosis
vs.
Scoliosis
Kyphosis = Convex of the spine (hunchback)
Scoliosis = lateral curve
What is considered an adverse rxn to neb tx?
∆RR > 20 b/m (call nurse)
Care) TEST BANK FINAL EXAM PREPARATION 2026-2027
NEWEST VERSION A& B WITH COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
ACCURATE DETAILED ANSWERS (RATIONALES) LATEST
UPDATE!! ACTUAL TEST BANK FINAL EXAM ALREADY GRADED
A+
Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)
To measure level of consciousness (LOC)
Eye opening: spontaneous 4, in response to voice 3, respond to pain 2,
none 1 Verbal response: oriented 5, confused 4, inappropriate words 3,
incomprehensible words 2, none 1
Motor response: obeys commands 6, localizes 5, withdraws 4, flexes
(decorticate) 3, extends (decerebrate) 2, none 1
• > 13 minor impairment
• 9-12 moderate impairment
• < 8 severe impairment
iatrogenic
of or relating to illness caused by medical examination or treatment
Jugular Vein Distension (JVD)
- Occurs with CHF and pneumothorax
- most commonly bc of right vent fail due to chronic hypoxemia and CHF
,pleurodesis
pleural space is artificially obliterated
- requires a hemostat, and 3 way stop cock
macroglossia
swelling or enlargement of the tongue
- bc of trauma, or congenital (ie Down's Syndrome)
Orthopnea
Difficulty breathing except in the upright position
- can relate to CHF
,tracheal shift
- causes
Toward abnormality:
- pneumonectomy (lung removal)
- atelectasis
- lung collapse
- unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis
Away from abnormality:
- pneumothorax
- hemothorax
- pleural effusion
- lung tumor
- neck tumor
- diaphragmatic hernia
, Pulsus
paradoxus vs.
Pulsus alterans
Pulsus paradoxus: Significant reduction in pulse strength during inhalation
by 10+ BPM
- could be bc status asthmaticus causing air trapping
Pulsus alterans: Succession of strong and weak pulses, but rate doesn't
change
- could be due to MI or CHF
Pectus
carinatum vs.
Pectus excavatum
Pectus carinatum: Anterior protrusion of the sternum "pigeon-chest"
Pectus excavatum: Depression of the sternum
Kyphosis
vs.
Scoliosis
Kyphosis = Convex of the spine (hunchback)
Scoliosis = lateral curve
What is considered an adverse rxn to neb tx?
∆RR > 20 b/m (call nurse)
