TMC Practice exam| QUESTIONS WITH ALL
ANSWERS CORRECT (i)
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 volume
2. Respiratory Rate
3. Inspiratory flow
4. Sensitivity Correct Answer: *A. 1, 2, and 3 only
B. 1, 2, and 4 only
C. 1, 3, and 4 only
D. 2, 3, and 4 only
Which of the following would be the most appropriate therapy for a dyspneic patient who has
crepitus with tracheal deviation to the left and absent breath sounds on the right? Correct
Answer: A. Perform chest physiotherapy
B. Administer an IPPB treatment
C. Insert an endotracheal tube
*D. Insert a chest tube
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. Correct Answer: A. 2.5 vol%
B. 4.0 vol%
*C. 5.0 vol%
D. 5.5 vol%
Immediately after extubation of a patient in the ICU, the respiratory therapist observes increasing
respiratory distress with intercostal retractions and marked stridor. The SpO2 on 40% oxygen is
noted to be 76%. Which of the following would be most appropriate at this time? Correct
Answer: A. Cool mist aerosol treatment
B. Aerosolized racemic epinephrine
C. Manual ventilation with resuscitation bag and mask
*D. Reintubation
A patient receiving mechanical ventilation has developed a temperature of 99.9° F with purulent
secretions over the last 12 hours. The respiratory therapist has also noted a steady increase in
peak inspiratory pressure. What initial recommendation should be made to address these
changes? Correct Answer: *A. Initiate bronchial hygiene therapy.
B. Obtain a sputum gram stain.
C. Administer IPV.
D. Insert a CASS tube.
, Which of the following information may be obtained from a FVC maneuver during bedside
pulmonary function testing?
1. FEV1
2. PEFR
3. FRC
4. RV Correct Answer: *A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 4 only
D. 3 and 4 only
The respiratory therapist provides education for a patient who is being discharged home on
aerosol therapy. The most important reason for the patient to follow the recommended cleaning
procedures using a vinegar/water solution is that this solution will Correct Answer: A. sterilize
the equipment.
*B. retard bacterial growth.
C. kill all micro-organisms and spores.
D. extend the equipment life.
Which of the following suction catheters would be appropriate to use for a patient with a size 8.0
mm ID endotracheal tube? Correct Answer: A. 8 Fr
B. 10 Fr
*C. 12 Fr
D. 14 Fr
A patient who is receiving continuous mechanical ventilation is fighting the ventilator. His
breath sounds are markedly diminished on the left, there is dullness to percussion on the left, and
the trachea is shifted to the left. The most likely explanation for the problem is that Correct
Answer: A. the patient is disconnected from the ventilator.
B. the patient is experiencing diffuse bronchospasm.
*C. the endotracheal tube has slipped into the right main stem bronchus.
D. the patient has developed a left tension pneumothorax.
A patient's breathing pattern irregularly increases and decreases and is interspersed with periods
of apnea up to 1 minute. Which of the following conditions is the most likely cause of this
problem? Correct Answer: A. Diabetes insipidus
B. Renal failure
C. Metabolic acidosis
*D. Elevated intracranial pressure
Kussmauls respiration Correct Answer: Increased rate and depth of breathing over a prolonged
period of time.
Response to metabolic acidosis
What value for the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) is consistent with mild obstructive sleep apnea?
Correct Answer: A. Less than 5
ANSWERS CORRECT (i)
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 volume
2. Respiratory Rate
3. Inspiratory flow
4. Sensitivity Correct Answer: *A. 1, 2, and 3 only
B. 1, 2, and 4 only
C. 1, 3, and 4 only
D. 2, 3, and 4 only
Which of the following would be the most appropriate therapy for a dyspneic patient who has
crepitus with tracheal deviation to the left and absent breath sounds on the right? Correct
Answer: A. Perform chest physiotherapy
B. Administer an IPPB treatment
C. Insert an endotracheal tube
*D. Insert a chest tube
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. Correct Answer: A. 2.5 vol%
B. 4.0 vol%
*C. 5.0 vol%
D. 5.5 vol%
Immediately after extubation of a patient in the ICU, the respiratory therapist observes increasing
respiratory distress with intercostal retractions and marked stridor. The SpO2 on 40% oxygen is
noted to be 76%. Which of the following would be most appropriate at this time? Correct
Answer: A. Cool mist aerosol treatment
B. Aerosolized racemic epinephrine
C. Manual ventilation with resuscitation bag and mask
*D. Reintubation
A patient receiving mechanical ventilation has developed a temperature of 99.9° F with purulent
secretions over the last 12 hours. The respiratory therapist has also noted a steady increase in
peak inspiratory pressure. What initial recommendation should be made to address these
changes? Correct Answer: *A. Initiate bronchial hygiene therapy.
B. Obtain a sputum gram stain.
C. Administer IPV.
D. Insert a CASS tube.
, Which of the following information may be obtained from a FVC maneuver during bedside
pulmonary function testing?
1. FEV1
2. PEFR
3. FRC
4. RV Correct Answer: *A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 4 only
D. 3 and 4 only
The respiratory therapist provides education for a patient who is being discharged home on
aerosol therapy. The most important reason for the patient to follow the recommended cleaning
procedures using a vinegar/water solution is that this solution will Correct Answer: A. sterilize
the equipment.
*B. retard bacterial growth.
C. kill all micro-organisms and spores.
D. extend the equipment life.
Which of the following suction catheters would be appropriate to use for a patient with a size 8.0
mm ID endotracheal tube? Correct Answer: A. 8 Fr
B. 10 Fr
*C. 12 Fr
D. 14 Fr
A patient who is receiving continuous mechanical ventilation is fighting the ventilator. His
breath sounds are markedly diminished on the left, there is dullness to percussion on the left, and
the trachea is shifted to the left. The most likely explanation for the problem is that Correct
Answer: A. the patient is disconnected from the ventilator.
B. the patient is experiencing diffuse bronchospasm.
*C. the endotracheal tube has slipped into the right main stem bronchus.
D. the patient has developed a left tension pneumothorax.
A patient's breathing pattern irregularly increases and decreases and is interspersed with periods
of apnea up to 1 minute. Which of the following conditions is the most likely cause of this
problem? Correct Answer: A. Diabetes insipidus
B. Renal failure
C. Metabolic acidosis
*D. Elevated intracranial pressure
Kussmauls respiration Correct Answer: Increased rate and depth of breathing over a prolonged
period of time.
Response to metabolic acidosis
What value for the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) is consistent with mild obstructive sleep apnea?
Correct Answer: A. Less than 5
