TMC PRACTICE FINAL TEST 2026
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS GRADED A+
◍ A 52 year-old post-operative cholecystectomy patient's breath sounds
become more coarse upon completion of postural drainage with percussion.
The respiratory therapist should recommend:
A. Continuing the therapy until breath sounds improve.
B. administering dornase alpha.
C. administering albuterol therapy.
D. deep breathing and coughing to clear secretions..
Answer: D. deep breathing and coughing to clear secretions.See Patient
Assessment
◍ What is normal urine output in an adult patient?.
Answer: 40 mL/hr
◍ A spontaneous breathing term-71trial is initiated on an intubated, awake,
and alert 70 kg (154 lb) patient. After 40 minutes on an FIO2 of 0.30, ABG
results are as follows: pH 7.39PaCO2 44 torrPaO2 85 torrHCO3- 24 mEq/
L. The patient's vital signs remained stable throughout the trial. Which of
the following is the most appropriate recommendation?.
Answer: Extubate
◍ After assisting with bronchoalveolar lavage and lung biopsy on a
mechanically ventilated patient, the respiratory therapist notes the activation
of a high pressure alarm. Peak inspiratory pressure has increased from 32
cm H2O before the procedure to 45 cm H2O after the procedure. Possible
causes for the increased pressure include1. bronchospasm.2.
pneumothorax.3. pulmonary hemorrhage..
Answer: 1, 2, and 3
,◍ A 48 year-old female is admitted to the ED with diaphoresis, jugular venous
distension, and 3+ pitting edema in the ankles. These findings are consistent
with.
Answer: heart failure
◍ A patient is admitted to the ED following a motor vehicle accident. On
physical exam, the respiratory therapist discovers that breath sounds are
absent in the left chest with a hyperresonant percussion note. The trachea is
shifted to the right. The patient's heart rate is 45/min, respiratory rate is
30/min, and blood pressure is 60/40 mm Hg. What action should the
therapist recommend first?.
Answer: Needle aspirate into the 2nd left intercostal space
◍ A healthy adult female can exhale what portion of her forced vital capacity
in the first second?.
Answer: 70%
◍ Following cardiac surgery, a 55 year-old patient has the following ABG
results: pH 7.50, PaCO2 30 torr, PaO2 62 torr, HCO3 25 mEq/L, SaO2
92%, HB 14 g/dL, BE +2. Venous blood gas results are pH 7.39, PvCO2 43
torr, PvO2 37 torr, and SvO2 66%. Calculate the patient's C(a-v)O2..
Answer: 5% volume
◍ What value for the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) is consistent with mild
obstructive sleep apnea?.
Answer: 5 to 15
◍ All of the following strategies are likely to decrease the likelihood of
damage to the tracheal mucosa EXCEPT:-maintaining cuff pressures
between 20 and 25 mm Hg.- using the minimal leak technique for inflation.-
using a low-residual-volume, low-compliance cuff.- monitoring intracuff
pressures..
Answer: using a low-residual-volume, low-compliance cuff.
◍ A 52 year-old post-operative cholecystectomy patient's breath sounds
become more coarse upon completion of postural drainage with percussion.
, The respiratory therapist should recommend.
Answer: deep breathing and coughing to clear secretions.
◍ A 65 kg spinal cord injured patient develops atelectasis. His inspiratory
capacity is 30% of his predicted value. What bronchial hygiene therapy
would be most appropriate initially?.
Answer: IPPB
◍ The respiratory therapist is asked to evaluate the presence of Auto-PEEP on
a patient receiving mechanical ventilation. In order to do this, what should
the RT do?.
Answer: Initiate an expiratory hold just prior to the next ventilator-delivered
breath
◍ What do bronchial breath sounds heard over the lung periphery indicate?.
Answer: lung consolidation (pneumonia)Rationale: should be vesicular in
periphery
◍ A 60 kg (132 lb) patient is mechanically ventilated at the following settings:
VC, A/C; VT 500 mL, respiratory rate 12/min, FIO2 1.00 and 10 cm H2O
PEE
P. The patient's peak airway pressure is 60 cm H2O and his SpO2 is 85%. A
current chest x-ray shows diffuse bilateral infiltrates. Which of the following
is the most appropriate action in order to reduce peak airway pressure?
A. Increase the frequency.
B. Change to airway pressure release ventilation.
C. Decrease the inspiratory time.
D. Increase PEEP to 15 cm H2
O. .
Answer: B. Change to airway pressure release ventilation.
◍ A 19-year-old patient is brought to the Emergency Department after taking a
handful of pills. The patient is obtunded but is making regular, sonorous
respiratory efforts. Auscultation reveals coarse rhonchi bilaterally. Which of
the following should be done FIRST to assess this patient?
A. Obtain a sputum specimen.
, B. Obtain an AB
G. C. Measure peak expiratory flow.
D. Determine the Glasgow Coma Score..
Answer: B. Obtain an ABG.
◍ A young healthy adult with complaints of intermittent wheezing is seen in
the pulmonary clinic. A pre/post bronchodilator spirometry reveals a normal
study with no reversibility. Which of the following should the respiratory
therapist recommend?
A. Helium dilution study
B. DLCO
C. Plethysmography
D. Bronchial provocation.
Answer: D. Bronchial provocation
◍ A patient on VC ventilation demonstrates auto-PEEP on ventilator graphics.
Which of the following controls, when adjusted independently, would
increase expiratory time?1. Tidal volume2. Respiratory Rate3. Inspiratory
flow4. Sensitivity.
Answer: 1, 2, and 3
◍ Following abdominal surgery, a 70 year-old patient receives mechanical
ventilation in the ICU at the following settings: VC, A/C; VT 550 mL,
respiratory rate 14/min, FIO2 0.50 and 10 cm H2O PEE
P. Bedside monitoring results demonstrate that the PvO2 is 35 torr and the
SpO2 is 90%. The patient is alert and oriented with stable vital signs. Which
of the following should the respiratory therapist recommend?
A. Decrease the PEE
P. B. Increase the FIO2.
C. Initiation diuretic therapy.
D. Continue to monitor closely..
Answer: B. Increase the FIO2.
◍ Which of the following would be the most appropriate therapy for a
dyspneic patient who has crepitus with tracheal deviation to the left and
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS GRADED A+
◍ A 52 year-old post-operative cholecystectomy patient's breath sounds
become more coarse upon completion of postural drainage with percussion.
The respiratory therapist should recommend:
A. Continuing the therapy until breath sounds improve.
B. administering dornase alpha.
C. administering albuterol therapy.
D. deep breathing and coughing to clear secretions..
Answer: D. deep breathing and coughing to clear secretions.See Patient
Assessment
◍ What is normal urine output in an adult patient?.
Answer: 40 mL/hr
◍ A spontaneous breathing term-71trial is initiated on an intubated, awake,
and alert 70 kg (154 lb) patient. After 40 minutes on an FIO2 of 0.30, ABG
results are as follows: pH 7.39PaCO2 44 torrPaO2 85 torrHCO3- 24 mEq/
L. The patient's vital signs remained stable throughout the trial. Which of
the following is the most appropriate recommendation?.
Answer: Extubate
◍ After assisting with bronchoalveolar lavage and lung biopsy on a
mechanically ventilated patient, the respiratory therapist notes the activation
of a high pressure alarm. Peak inspiratory pressure has increased from 32
cm H2O before the procedure to 45 cm H2O after the procedure. Possible
causes for the increased pressure include1. bronchospasm.2.
pneumothorax.3. pulmonary hemorrhage..
Answer: 1, 2, and 3
,◍ A 48 year-old female is admitted to the ED with diaphoresis, jugular venous
distension, and 3+ pitting edema in the ankles. These findings are consistent
with.
Answer: heart failure
◍ A patient is admitted to the ED following a motor vehicle accident. On
physical exam, the respiratory therapist discovers that breath sounds are
absent in the left chest with a hyperresonant percussion note. The trachea is
shifted to the right. The patient's heart rate is 45/min, respiratory rate is
30/min, and blood pressure is 60/40 mm Hg. What action should the
therapist recommend first?.
Answer: Needle aspirate into the 2nd left intercostal space
◍ A healthy adult female can exhale what portion of her forced vital capacity
in the first second?.
Answer: 70%
◍ Following cardiac surgery, a 55 year-old patient has the following ABG
results: pH 7.50, PaCO2 30 torr, PaO2 62 torr, HCO3 25 mEq/L, SaO2
92%, HB 14 g/dL, BE +2. Venous blood gas results are pH 7.39, PvCO2 43
torr, PvO2 37 torr, and SvO2 66%. Calculate the patient's C(a-v)O2..
Answer: 5% volume
◍ What value for the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) is consistent with mild
obstructive sleep apnea?.
Answer: 5 to 15
◍ All of the following strategies are likely to decrease the likelihood of
damage to the tracheal mucosa EXCEPT:-maintaining cuff pressures
between 20 and 25 mm Hg.- using the minimal leak technique for inflation.-
using a low-residual-volume, low-compliance cuff.- monitoring intracuff
pressures..
Answer: using a low-residual-volume, low-compliance cuff.
◍ A 52 year-old post-operative cholecystectomy patient's breath sounds
become more coarse upon completion of postural drainage with percussion.
, The respiratory therapist should recommend.
Answer: deep breathing and coughing to clear secretions.
◍ A 65 kg spinal cord injured patient develops atelectasis. His inspiratory
capacity is 30% of his predicted value. What bronchial hygiene therapy
would be most appropriate initially?.
Answer: IPPB
◍ The respiratory therapist is asked to evaluate the presence of Auto-PEEP on
a patient receiving mechanical ventilation. In order to do this, what should
the RT do?.
Answer: Initiate an expiratory hold just prior to the next ventilator-delivered
breath
◍ What do bronchial breath sounds heard over the lung periphery indicate?.
Answer: lung consolidation (pneumonia)Rationale: should be vesicular in
periphery
◍ A 60 kg (132 lb) patient is mechanically ventilated at the following settings:
VC, A/C; VT 500 mL, respiratory rate 12/min, FIO2 1.00 and 10 cm H2O
PEE
P. The patient's peak airway pressure is 60 cm H2O and his SpO2 is 85%. A
current chest x-ray shows diffuse bilateral infiltrates. Which of the following
is the most appropriate action in order to reduce peak airway pressure?
A. Increase the frequency.
B. Change to airway pressure release ventilation.
C. Decrease the inspiratory time.
D. Increase PEEP to 15 cm H2
O. .
Answer: B. Change to airway pressure release ventilation.
◍ A 19-year-old patient is brought to the Emergency Department after taking a
handful of pills. The patient is obtunded but is making regular, sonorous
respiratory efforts. Auscultation reveals coarse rhonchi bilaterally. Which of
the following should be done FIRST to assess this patient?
A. Obtain a sputum specimen.
, B. Obtain an AB
G. C. Measure peak expiratory flow.
D. Determine the Glasgow Coma Score..
Answer: B. Obtain an ABG.
◍ A young healthy adult with complaints of intermittent wheezing is seen in
the pulmonary clinic. A pre/post bronchodilator spirometry reveals a normal
study with no reversibility. Which of the following should the respiratory
therapist recommend?
A. Helium dilution study
B. DLCO
C. Plethysmography
D. Bronchial provocation.
Answer: D. Bronchial provocation
◍ A patient on VC ventilation demonstrates auto-PEEP on ventilator graphics.
Which of the following controls, when adjusted independently, would
increase expiratory time?1. Tidal volume2. Respiratory Rate3. Inspiratory
flow4. Sensitivity.
Answer: 1, 2, and 3
◍ Following abdominal surgery, a 70 year-old patient receives mechanical
ventilation in the ICU at the following settings: VC, A/C; VT 550 mL,
respiratory rate 14/min, FIO2 0.50 and 10 cm H2O PEE
P. Bedside monitoring results demonstrate that the PvO2 is 35 torr and the
SpO2 is 90%. The patient is alert and oriented with stable vital signs. Which
of the following should the respiratory therapist recommend?
A. Decrease the PEE
P. B. Increase the FIO2.
C. Initiation diuretic therapy.
D. Continue to monitor closely..
Answer: B. Increase the FIO2.
◍ Which of the following would be the most appropriate therapy for a
dyspneic patient who has crepitus with tracheal deviation to the left and
