NBRC TMC Practice Exam Prep
NBRC TMC PRACTICE EXAM PREP NEWEST 2026/2027 ACTUAL
EXAM COMPLETE 400 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
|ALREADY GRADED A+|BRAND NEW VERSION!!
An adult patient in the emergency department is febrile with a temperature of 40
deg C (104 deg F) taken rectally. Arterial blood gas analysis is done and the
following results are reported with the patient breathing room air. The results are
not corrected for temperature.
pH 7.35
PaCO2 46 torr
PaO2 80 torr
HCO3- 26 mEq/L
BE +1 mEq/L
The respiratory therapist should recommend
A. Ventilatory assistance with Bi-level
B. A cooling blanket
C. Non-invasive positive pressure ventilatory support (NIPPV)
D. Supplemental oxygen by nasal cannula at 5 L/min - Correct Answer-D.
Because the patient is hypethermic, or has a fever, and the arterial blood gas
results are not corrected for temperature, the reported results from the analyzer
would be erroneously high. Because the patient's PaO2 is at 80 mmHg and
1|Page
, NBRC TMC Practice Exam Prep
because that result is erroneously high, the patient's real PaO2 is lower than 80
mmHg, making them hypoxic. Supplemental oxygen, therefore, is indicated.
A burn trauma patient who is also suspect for carbon monoxide poisoning is
receiving oxygen therapy by a nonrebreathing mask. The respiratory therapist
observes that the reservoir bag collapses completely with each inspiration. The
therapist should
A. remove the one-way valve in the reservoir
B. obtain a larger reservoir
C. increase flow to the reservoir bag
D. continue current therapy as this is normal - Correct Answer-C
In which of the following positions can the respiratory therapist expect to place a
patient who will receive chest physiotherapy and postural drainage to address
secretions found in the upper lobes, anterior segments of the lungs?
A. Trendenlenburg - 30 degrees
B. Trendelenburg - 15 degrees
C. Prone position
D. Supine position - Correct Answer-D.
Secretions in the upper lobes in the anterior segments of the lungs can best be
drained by placing the patient in supine position.
The respiratory therapist responds to an adult patient on a ventilator whose low
pressure alarm is sounding. The therapist determines the 6.0 mm ET tube is in
proper position according to the markings. Gas escaping around the ET tube is
audible. The therapist should
2|Page
, NBRC TMC Practice Exam Prep
A. switch to a larger ET tube
B. switch to a cuffless ET tube
C. schedule the patient for a tracheotomy
D. add air to the cuff - Correct Answer-A.
The first, most obvious problem in this question is that an adult patient has a 6.0
mm ET tube. For a normal sized adult, this endotracheal tube size is likely too
small. Further evidence indicates gas escaping around ET tube. This is also likely
due to a small endotracheal tube.
A respiratory therapist is having difficulty obtaining an oxygen saturation reading
from a pulse oximeter. Which of the following should the therapist evaluate to
determine the cause of the problem?
A. C(a-v)O2
B. CVP
C. Presence of finger nail polish
D. PaO2 - Correct Answer-C.
Which of the following calculations can be used to determine FRC?
A. RV + ERV + VT
B. TLC - ERV - RV
C. TLC - IRV - VT
D. VC - RV - Correct Answer-C
What volumes can the respiratory therapist examine to calculate vital capacity?
3|Page
, NBRC TMC Practice Exam Prep
A. VT + IC
B. TLC - FRC
C. ERV + VT + IRV
D. IRV-RV - Correct Answer-C
Which of the following may be related to a fluid balance problem in a patient?
A. Elevated CVP
B. Congestive heart failure (CHF)
C. Pulmonary tuberculosis
D. Pleurisy - Correct Answer-B.
Congestive heart failure (CHF) often results in fluid-shifting in the body, somtimes
known as third-spacing. Pitting edema and orthopnea are also associated with
CHF.
Which of the following should the respiratory therapist evaluate to determine if
the patient's perfusion is adequate?
A. urine output
B. pulse oximetery
C. blood urea nitrogen level (BUN)
D. arterial blood gas analysis - Correct Answer-A.
Urine output is the most significant indicator of perfusion and is therefore the best
assessment of perfusion adequacy.
4|Page
NBRC TMC PRACTICE EXAM PREP NEWEST 2026/2027 ACTUAL
EXAM COMPLETE 400 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
|ALREADY GRADED A+|BRAND NEW VERSION!!
An adult patient in the emergency department is febrile with a temperature of 40
deg C (104 deg F) taken rectally. Arterial blood gas analysis is done and the
following results are reported with the patient breathing room air. The results are
not corrected for temperature.
pH 7.35
PaCO2 46 torr
PaO2 80 torr
HCO3- 26 mEq/L
BE +1 mEq/L
The respiratory therapist should recommend
A. Ventilatory assistance with Bi-level
B. A cooling blanket
C. Non-invasive positive pressure ventilatory support (NIPPV)
D. Supplemental oxygen by nasal cannula at 5 L/min - Correct Answer-D.
Because the patient is hypethermic, or has a fever, and the arterial blood gas
results are not corrected for temperature, the reported results from the analyzer
would be erroneously high. Because the patient's PaO2 is at 80 mmHg and
1|Page
, NBRC TMC Practice Exam Prep
because that result is erroneously high, the patient's real PaO2 is lower than 80
mmHg, making them hypoxic. Supplemental oxygen, therefore, is indicated.
A burn trauma patient who is also suspect for carbon monoxide poisoning is
receiving oxygen therapy by a nonrebreathing mask. The respiratory therapist
observes that the reservoir bag collapses completely with each inspiration. The
therapist should
A. remove the one-way valve in the reservoir
B. obtain a larger reservoir
C. increase flow to the reservoir bag
D. continue current therapy as this is normal - Correct Answer-C
In which of the following positions can the respiratory therapist expect to place a
patient who will receive chest physiotherapy and postural drainage to address
secretions found in the upper lobes, anterior segments of the lungs?
A. Trendenlenburg - 30 degrees
B. Trendelenburg - 15 degrees
C. Prone position
D. Supine position - Correct Answer-D.
Secretions in the upper lobes in the anterior segments of the lungs can best be
drained by placing the patient in supine position.
The respiratory therapist responds to an adult patient on a ventilator whose low
pressure alarm is sounding. The therapist determines the 6.0 mm ET tube is in
proper position according to the markings. Gas escaping around the ET tube is
audible. The therapist should
2|Page
, NBRC TMC Practice Exam Prep
A. switch to a larger ET tube
B. switch to a cuffless ET tube
C. schedule the patient for a tracheotomy
D. add air to the cuff - Correct Answer-A.
The first, most obvious problem in this question is that an adult patient has a 6.0
mm ET tube. For a normal sized adult, this endotracheal tube size is likely too
small. Further evidence indicates gas escaping around ET tube. This is also likely
due to a small endotracheal tube.
A respiratory therapist is having difficulty obtaining an oxygen saturation reading
from a pulse oximeter. Which of the following should the therapist evaluate to
determine the cause of the problem?
A. C(a-v)O2
B. CVP
C. Presence of finger nail polish
D. PaO2 - Correct Answer-C.
Which of the following calculations can be used to determine FRC?
A. RV + ERV + VT
B. TLC - ERV - RV
C. TLC - IRV - VT
D. VC - RV - Correct Answer-C
What volumes can the respiratory therapist examine to calculate vital capacity?
3|Page
, NBRC TMC Practice Exam Prep
A. VT + IC
B. TLC - FRC
C. ERV + VT + IRV
D. IRV-RV - Correct Answer-C
Which of the following may be related to a fluid balance problem in a patient?
A. Elevated CVP
B. Congestive heart failure (CHF)
C. Pulmonary tuberculosis
D. Pleurisy - Correct Answer-B.
Congestive heart failure (CHF) often results in fluid-shifting in the body, somtimes
known as third-spacing. Pitting edema and orthopnea are also associated with
CHF.
Which of the following should the respiratory therapist evaluate to determine if
the patient's perfusion is adequate?
A. urine output
B. pulse oximetery
C. blood urea nitrogen level (BUN)
D. arterial blood gas analysis - Correct Answer-A.
Urine output is the most significant indicator of perfusion and is therefore the best
assessment of perfusion adequacy.
4|Page
