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NBRC PRACTICE TEST -2 -NATIONAL
BOARD FOR RESPIRATORY CARE
EXAM 2026 ACTUAL QUESTIONS
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS.
After a patient undergoes a thoracentesis, the respiratory
therapist notes that the obtained pleural fluid is clear with a
slight straw color. This fluid is most likely the result of
A. empyema.
B. congestive heart failure.
C. lung carcinoma.
D. hemothorax. - ANSWER-Congestive Heart Failure
The respiratory therapist is calibrating a spirometer and
checking the volume with a 3.0 liter super syringe. the volumes
recorded are 2.85L, 2.8L and 2.8L. Based upon the information
obtained, which of the following is a correct statement?
A. Another syringe needs to be used
B. Spirometer is accurate
C. The plunger was advanced too slowly
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D. Spirometer may have a leak - ANSWER-D. Spirometer may
have a leak
Which of the following is an indication for high frequency jet
ventilation?
A. Bronchopleural fistula
B. Wilson Mikity syndrome
C Necrotizing lesion of right lung
D. Centrilobular emphysema - ANSWER-Bronchopleural Fistula
**(because it uses mean airway pressures & low tidal volumes
to improve oxygenation and we do not want to worsen bp
fistula)
A 43 y/o female patient has just undergone a total abdominal
hysterectomy. The pt arrives in the post anesthesia care unit
obtunded with minimal response to painful stimulus. what
treatment should the RT recommend for this pt? - ANSWER-
Insert OPA (b/c they are unresponsive)
What is the normal VD/VT ratio for a patient breathing room
air? - ANSWER-20-40%
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All of the following could cause a patient's right-hemidiaphragm
to be elevated, EXCEPT:
A. right lower lobe atelectasis
B. right side hyperlucency, absent vascular markings
C. hepatomegaly
D. right lower lobe consolidation with air bronchograms -
ANSWER-B. right side hyperlucency, absent vascular markings
(pneumothorax)
A 2 y/o child with croup has been intubated for 4 days with a
4mm ID uncuffed ETT. Heated aerosol at an FiO2 of 30% has
been delivered to the patient. The physician asks the RT to
evaluate the pt for possible extubation. Which of the following
would most likely indicate that the pt is ready for extubation?
A. Pt is making normal quiet ventilatory efforts
B. Negative sputum culture and sensitivity has been reported
C. Pt's ABG are within normal range
D. Breath sounds are heard around the tube on auscultation -
ANSWER-D. Breath sounds are heard around the tube on
auscultation
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A pt is senn inthe ER for complaints of nausea and vomiting. A
NGT has been inserted and the pt is started on lasix. Which of
the following should the RT monitor?
A. Cardiac enzymes
B. Serum electrolytes
C. ABG
D. Cell hydration level - ANSWER-B. Serum electrolytes
(because of loss of fluids)
While instructing a pt prior to a vital capacity maneuver, the RT
should direct the pt to:
A. exhale to RV and inhale to IC
B. inhale to TLC then exhale to RV
C. exhale normally then inhale to TLC
D. inhale normally then exhale to FRC - ANSWER-B. inhale to
TLC then exhale to RV
A 77 y/o male patient is admitted to the ER with shortness of
breath, fine basilar crackles, +2 pitting edema and a chest X-
ray with a butterfly pattern. These results are most consistent
with which of the following?
NBRC PRACTICE TEST -2 -NATIONAL
BOARD FOR RESPIRATORY CARE
EXAM 2026 ACTUAL QUESTIONS
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS.
After a patient undergoes a thoracentesis, the respiratory
therapist notes that the obtained pleural fluid is clear with a
slight straw color. This fluid is most likely the result of
A. empyema.
B. congestive heart failure.
C. lung carcinoma.
D. hemothorax. - ANSWER-Congestive Heart Failure
The respiratory therapist is calibrating a spirometer and
checking the volume with a 3.0 liter super syringe. the volumes
recorded are 2.85L, 2.8L and 2.8L. Based upon the information
obtained, which of the following is a correct statement?
A. Another syringe needs to be used
B. Spirometer is accurate
C. The plunger was advanced too slowly
,2 | Page
D. Spirometer may have a leak - ANSWER-D. Spirometer may
have a leak
Which of the following is an indication for high frequency jet
ventilation?
A. Bronchopleural fistula
B. Wilson Mikity syndrome
C Necrotizing lesion of right lung
D. Centrilobular emphysema - ANSWER-Bronchopleural Fistula
**(because it uses mean airway pressures & low tidal volumes
to improve oxygenation and we do not want to worsen bp
fistula)
A 43 y/o female patient has just undergone a total abdominal
hysterectomy. The pt arrives in the post anesthesia care unit
obtunded with minimal response to painful stimulus. what
treatment should the RT recommend for this pt? - ANSWER-
Insert OPA (b/c they are unresponsive)
What is the normal VD/VT ratio for a patient breathing room
air? - ANSWER-20-40%
,3 | Page
All of the following could cause a patient's right-hemidiaphragm
to be elevated, EXCEPT:
A. right lower lobe atelectasis
B. right side hyperlucency, absent vascular markings
C. hepatomegaly
D. right lower lobe consolidation with air bronchograms -
ANSWER-B. right side hyperlucency, absent vascular markings
(pneumothorax)
A 2 y/o child with croup has been intubated for 4 days with a
4mm ID uncuffed ETT. Heated aerosol at an FiO2 of 30% has
been delivered to the patient. The physician asks the RT to
evaluate the pt for possible extubation. Which of the following
would most likely indicate that the pt is ready for extubation?
A. Pt is making normal quiet ventilatory efforts
B. Negative sputum culture and sensitivity has been reported
C. Pt's ABG are within normal range
D. Breath sounds are heard around the tube on auscultation -
ANSWER-D. Breath sounds are heard around the tube on
auscultation
, 4 | Page
A pt is senn inthe ER for complaints of nausea and vomiting. A
NGT has been inserted and the pt is started on lasix. Which of
the following should the RT monitor?
A. Cardiac enzymes
B. Serum electrolytes
C. ABG
D. Cell hydration level - ANSWER-B. Serum electrolytes
(because of loss of fluids)
While instructing a pt prior to a vital capacity maneuver, the RT
should direct the pt to:
A. exhale to RV and inhale to IC
B. inhale to TLC then exhale to RV
C. exhale normally then inhale to TLC
D. inhale normally then exhale to FRC - ANSWER-B. inhale to
TLC then exhale to RV
A 77 y/o male patient is admitted to the ER with shortness of
breath, fine basilar crackles, +2 pitting edema and a chest X-
ray with a butterfly pattern. These results are most consistent
with which of the following?
