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
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)
,NBRC PRACTICE TEST -2 -NATIONAL BOARD FOR RESPIRATORY
CARE EXAM 2026 ACTUAL QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS.
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%
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
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?
, NBRC PRACTICE TEST -2 -NATIONAL BOARD FOR RESPIRATORY
CARE EXAM 2026 ACTUAL QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS.
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?
A. Pulmonary edema
B. Pulmonary interstitial emphysema
C. Pneumothorax
D. Emphysema - (ANSWER)A. Pulmonary edema (and CHF!)
Which of the formula will determine the total flow being delivered to a pt with a 28% venturi mask
running at 6 L/min? - (ANSWER)Total flow = 6 x 11 (flow factor for 28% = 10:1 = 11)
A pt with end-stage pulmonary fibrosis is receiving O2 at 2L/min via a transtracheal oxygen catheter. The
pt experiences an increased WOB and shortness of breath. The RT should do what? - (ANSWER)Flush the
transtracheal device with isotonic saline
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
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)
,NBRC PRACTICE TEST -2 -NATIONAL BOARD FOR RESPIRATORY
CARE EXAM 2026 ACTUAL QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS.
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%
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
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?
, NBRC PRACTICE TEST -2 -NATIONAL BOARD FOR RESPIRATORY
CARE EXAM 2026 ACTUAL QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS.
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?
A. Pulmonary edema
B. Pulmonary interstitial emphysema
C. Pneumothorax
D. Emphysema - (ANSWER)A. Pulmonary edema (and CHF!)
Which of the formula will determine the total flow being delivered to a pt with a 28% venturi mask
running at 6 L/min? - (ANSWER)Total flow = 6 x 11 (flow factor for 28% = 10:1 = 11)
A pt with end-stage pulmonary fibrosis is receiving O2 at 2L/min via a transtracheal oxygen catheter. The
pt experiences an increased WOB and shortness of breath. The RT should do what? - (ANSWER)Flush the
transtracheal device with isotonic saline
