EGAN'S FUNDAMENTALS OF
RESPIRATORY CARE — 13TH EDITION
Actual Workbook Exam Complete
Questions and Answers | 100% Verified
Detailed Rationales - Pass Guaranteed - A+
Graded
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1 | Foundations of Respiratory Care | Q1 – Q10
Section 2 | Cardiopulmonary Assessment and Diagnostics | Q11 – Q20
Section 3 | Therapeutic Modalities and Ventilation | Q21 – Q30
Section 4 | Pharmacology and Critical Care | Q31 – Q40
Section 5 | Neonatal, Pediatric, and Geriatric Respiratory Care | Q41 – Q50
══════════════════════════════════════
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF RESPIRATORY CARE Q1 – Q10
══════════════════════════════════════
Question 1 of 50
A respiratory therapist is orienting a new graduate to the ICU and explains that the
primary role of the respiratory therapist in modern healthcare extends beyond just giving
breathing treatments. The therapist emphasizes that the profession now focuses on:
A. Administering only bronchodilators and oxygen as ordered by physicians
B. Comprehensive patient assessment, evidence-based protocols, and collaborative
care planning ✓ CORRECT
C. Replacing nurses in all aspects of critical care patient management
D. Performing only diagnostic pulmonary function tests in the laboratory setting
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Modern respiratory care emphasizes autonomous patient assessment,
protocol-driven care, and interprofessional collaboration to optimize cardiopulmonary
outcomes across the continuum of care. Option A reflects an outdated, task-oriented
view of the profession that limits the therapist's scope and contribution to patient care.
Respiratory therapists today serve as cardiopulmonary specialists who participate in
rounds, manage mechanical ventilation, perform advanced diagnostics, and lead quality
improvement initiatives.
Question 2 of 50
A respiratory therapist is reviewing the gas laws with a student who is preparing for the
credentialing exam. The student asks which law explains why a gas cylinder must never
be completely emptied before refilling. The therapist explains that this relates to:
A. Boyle's law, which describes the inverse relationship between pressure and volume
B. Dalton's law, which states that the total pressure of a gas mixture equals the sum of
partial pressures
C. Charles's law, which explains the relationship between temperature and volume
D. The need to maintain positive pressure to prevent ambient air and moisture from
entering the cylinder ✓ CORRECT
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Maintaining residual positive pressure in a gas cylinder prevents backflow of
atmospheric air and moisture, which could contaminate the cylinder contents, cause
internal corrosion, and create a safety hazard during refilling or use. Option A describes
a fundamental gas law but does not address the practical safety reason for maintaining
residual pressure in cylinders. The therapist should also teach the student to always
check cylinder labels, use appropriate regulators, and store cylinders secured in an
upright position.
Question 3 of 50
,A respiratory therapist is setting up an oxygen delivery system for a 68-year-old client
with COPD in the emergency department. The physician orders 2 L/min via nasal
cannula. The therapist calculates that at this flow rate, the approximate inspired oxygen
concentration (FiO2) will be:
A. 24% ✓ CORRECT
B. 28%
C. 32%
D. 40%
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Each liter per minute of oxygen via nasal cannula increases the FiO2 by
approximately 4% above room air (21%), so 2 L/min delivers approximately 24% oxygen
(21% + 8%). Option B is a common miscalculation that some therapists use for 4 L/min,
but it does not apply at 2 L/min. The therapist should remember that nasal cannula FiO2
is variable depending on the patient's minute ventilation, respiratory rate, and breathing
pattern, making it a low-flow, variable-performance device.
Question 4 of 50
A respiratory therapist is explaining the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve to a nursing
student. The therapist points out that a rightward shift of the curve, which facilitates
oxygen unloading to tissues, is caused by:
A. Decreased 2,3-DPG, decreased temperature, and increased pH
B. Increased 2,3-DPG, increased temperature, decreased pH, and increased PCO2 ✓
CORRECT
C. Decreased PCO2, increased pH, and decreased temperature
D. Increased hemoglobin affinity for oxygen and decreased tissue perfusion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Bohr effect causes a rightward shift of the oxyhemoglobin dissociation
curve with increased 2,3-DPG, temperature, hydrogen ion concentration (decreased pH),
, and PCO2, which reduces hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen and promotes tissue oxygen
delivery. Option A describes factors that cause a leftward shift, increasing oxygen
affinity and impairing tissue unloading. The therapist should correlate this concept with
clinical scenarios such as exercise (increased temperature and CO2) and chronic
hypoxia (increased 2,3-DPG in COPD patients), which physiologically enhance oxygen
delivery.
Question 5 of 50
A respiratory therapist is assessing a 45-year-old client who was admitted with
community-acquired pneumonia. The therapist auscultates diminished breath sounds
over the right lower lobe and notes dullness to percussion. These findings are most
consistent with:
A. Pneumothorax, which causes hyperresonance and absent breath sounds
B. Pleural effusion or consolidation, which causes dullness and decreased breath
sounds ✓ CORRECT
C. Asthma exacerbation, which causes wheezing and prolonged expiration
D. Pulmonary embolism, which causes clear lung sounds and tachypnea
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Dullness to percussion indicates increased density in the lung field from fluid
(effusion) or solid tissue (consolidation), both of which also diminish breath sounds by
impairing sound transmission through the affected area. Option A is incorrect because
pneumothorax produces hyperresonance due to air in the pleural space, not dullness.
The therapist should correlate physical findings with chest radiography and consider
therapeutic interventions such as chest physiotherapy for consolidation or
thoracentesis for significant effusion.
Question 6 of 50
RESPIRATORY CARE — 13TH EDITION
Actual Workbook Exam Complete
Questions and Answers | 100% Verified
Detailed Rationales - Pass Guaranteed - A+
Graded
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1 | Foundations of Respiratory Care | Q1 – Q10
Section 2 | Cardiopulmonary Assessment and Diagnostics | Q11 – Q20
Section 3 | Therapeutic Modalities and Ventilation | Q21 – Q30
Section 4 | Pharmacology and Critical Care | Q31 – Q40
Section 5 | Neonatal, Pediatric, and Geriatric Respiratory Care | Q41 – Q50
══════════════════════════════════════
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF RESPIRATORY CARE Q1 – Q10
══════════════════════════════════════
Question 1 of 50
A respiratory therapist is orienting a new graduate to the ICU and explains that the
primary role of the respiratory therapist in modern healthcare extends beyond just giving
breathing treatments. The therapist emphasizes that the profession now focuses on:
A. Administering only bronchodilators and oxygen as ordered by physicians
B. Comprehensive patient assessment, evidence-based protocols, and collaborative
care planning ✓ CORRECT
C. Replacing nurses in all aspects of critical care patient management
D. Performing only diagnostic pulmonary function tests in the laboratory setting
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Modern respiratory care emphasizes autonomous patient assessment,
protocol-driven care, and interprofessional collaboration to optimize cardiopulmonary
outcomes across the continuum of care. Option A reflects an outdated, task-oriented
view of the profession that limits the therapist's scope and contribution to patient care.
Respiratory therapists today serve as cardiopulmonary specialists who participate in
rounds, manage mechanical ventilation, perform advanced diagnostics, and lead quality
improvement initiatives.
Question 2 of 50
A respiratory therapist is reviewing the gas laws with a student who is preparing for the
credentialing exam. The student asks which law explains why a gas cylinder must never
be completely emptied before refilling. The therapist explains that this relates to:
A. Boyle's law, which describes the inverse relationship between pressure and volume
B. Dalton's law, which states that the total pressure of a gas mixture equals the sum of
partial pressures
C. Charles's law, which explains the relationship between temperature and volume
D. The need to maintain positive pressure to prevent ambient air and moisture from
entering the cylinder ✓ CORRECT
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Maintaining residual positive pressure in a gas cylinder prevents backflow of
atmospheric air and moisture, which could contaminate the cylinder contents, cause
internal corrosion, and create a safety hazard during refilling or use. Option A describes
a fundamental gas law but does not address the practical safety reason for maintaining
residual pressure in cylinders. The therapist should also teach the student to always
check cylinder labels, use appropriate regulators, and store cylinders secured in an
upright position.
Question 3 of 50
,A respiratory therapist is setting up an oxygen delivery system for a 68-year-old client
with COPD in the emergency department. The physician orders 2 L/min via nasal
cannula. The therapist calculates that at this flow rate, the approximate inspired oxygen
concentration (FiO2) will be:
A. 24% ✓ CORRECT
B. 28%
C. 32%
D. 40%
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Each liter per minute of oxygen via nasal cannula increases the FiO2 by
approximately 4% above room air (21%), so 2 L/min delivers approximately 24% oxygen
(21% + 8%). Option B is a common miscalculation that some therapists use for 4 L/min,
but it does not apply at 2 L/min. The therapist should remember that nasal cannula FiO2
is variable depending on the patient's minute ventilation, respiratory rate, and breathing
pattern, making it a low-flow, variable-performance device.
Question 4 of 50
A respiratory therapist is explaining the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve to a nursing
student. The therapist points out that a rightward shift of the curve, which facilitates
oxygen unloading to tissues, is caused by:
A. Decreased 2,3-DPG, decreased temperature, and increased pH
B. Increased 2,3-DPG, increased temperature, decreased pH, and increased PCO2 ✓
CORRECT
C. Decreased PCO2, increased pH, and decreased temperature
D. Increased hemoglobin affinity for oxygen and decreased tissue perfusion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Bohr effect causes a rightward shift of the oxyhemoglobin dissociation
curve with increased 2,3-DPG, temperature, hydrogen ion concentration (decreased pH),
, and PCO2, which reduces hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen and promotes tissue oxygen
delivery. Option A describes factors that cause a leftward shift, increasing oxygen
affinity and impairing tissue unloading. The therapist should correlate this concept with
clinical scenarios such as exercise (increased temperature and CO2) and chronic
hypoxia (increased 2,3-DPG in COPD patients), which physiologically enhance oxygen
delivery.
Question 5 of 50
A respiratory therapist is assessing a 45-year-old client who was admitted with
community-acquired pneumonia. The therapist auscultates diminished breath sounds
over the right lower lobe and notes dullness to percussion. These findings are most
consistent with:
A. Pneumothorax, which causes hyperresonance and absent breath sounds
B. Pleural effusion or consolidation, which causes dullness and decreased breath
sounds ✓ CORRECT
C. Asthma exacerbation, which causes wheezing and prolonged expiration
D. Pulmonary embolism, which causes clear lung sounds and tachypnea
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Dullness to percussion indicates increased density in the lung field from fluid
(effusion) or solid tissue (consolidation), both of which also diminish breath sounds by
impairing sound transmission through the affected area. Option A is incorrect because
pneumothorax produces hyperresonance due to air in the pleural space, not dullness.
The therapist should correlate physical findings with chest radiography and consider
therapeutic interventions such as chest physiotherapy for consolidation or
thoracentesis for significant effusion.
Question 6 of 50
