NURS 6531 TMC EXAM QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
2022/2023 A+ ANSWERS SUCCESS ASSUARED
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
A. liver failure.
B. pulmonary embolism.
C. heart failure.
D. electrolyte imbalances Correct Ans ➡ 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?
A. Call for a STAT chest x-ray.
B. Insert a chest tube into the left chest.
C. Needle aspirate the 2nd left intercostal space.
D. Activate the medical emergency team to intubate the patient.
Correct Ans ➡
Needle aspirate the 2nd left intercostal space.
All of the following strategies are likely to decrease the likelihood
of damage to the tracheal mucosa EXCEPT
A. maintaining cuff pressures between 20 and 25 mm Hg.
B. using the minimal leak technique for inflation.
C. using a low-residual-volume, low-compliance cuff.
D. monitoring intracuff pressures. Correct Ans ➡
monitoring intracuff pressures.
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.
,NURS 6531 TMC EXAM QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
2022/2023 A+ ANSWERS SUCCESS ASSUARED
D. deep breathing and coughing to clear secretions.
Correct Ans ➡ deep
breathing and coughing to clear secretions.
A 65 kg spinal cord injured patient has developed atelectasis. His
inspiratory capacity is 30% of his predicted value. What bronchial
hygiene therapy would be most appropriate initially?
A. IS / SMI
B. IPPB with normal saline
C. postural drainage and percussion
D. PEP therapy Correct Ans ➡ IPPB with normal saline
A patient on VC ventilation has demonstrated 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 Ans➡ 1, 2, and 3 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?
A. Perform chest physiotherapy
B. Administer an IPPB treatment
C. Insert an endotracheal tube
D. Insert a chest tube Correct Ans➡ Insert a chest tube
A 55 year-old post cardiac surgery 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.
A. 2.5 vol%
B. 4.0 vol%
C. 5.0 vol%
D. 5.5 vol% Correct Ans➡ 5.0 vol%
A patient on VC, SIMV with a VT of 500 mL has a PIP of 25 cm
H2O, Pplat of 15 cm H2O and PEEP of 5 cm H2O. What is the
patient's static lung compliance
,NURS 6531 TMC EXAM QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
2022/2023 A+ ANSWERS SUCCESS ASSUARED
A. 25 mL/cm H2O
B. 35 mL/cm H2O
C. 45 mL/cm H2O
D. 50 mL/cm H2O Correct Ans ➡ 50 mL/cm H2O
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 86%. Which of the following would be most
appropriate at this time?
A. cool mist aerosol treatment
B. aerosolized racemic epinephrine
C. manual ventilation with resuscitation bag and mask
D. reintubation Correct Ans ➡ reintubation
Which of the following patients would most likely benefit from
pressure support ventilation?
A. An intubated patient with an absent respiratory drive.
B. A patient on SIMV with a set rate of 12/min and total rate of
24/min.
C. A patient with acute lung injury.
D. A patient who requires short-term post-operative ventilatory
support. Correct Ans ➡ A patient on SIMV with a set rate of
12/min and total rate of 24/min.
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?
A. Initiate bronchial hygiene therapy.
B. Obtain a sputum gram stain.
C. Administer IPV.
D. Insert a CASS tube. Correct Ans➡ Obtain a sputum gram stain.
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 Ans➡ 1 and 2 only
, NURS 6531 TMC EXAM QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
2022/2023 A+ ANSWERS SUCCESS ASSUARED
The respiratory therapist is providing patient 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
A. sterilize the equipment.
B. retard bacterial growth.
C. kill all micro-organisms and spores.
D. extend the equipment life. Correct Ans ➡ Retard
bacterial growth
A patient who complains of dyspnea is noted to have a dry, non-
productive cough. On physical examination, breath sounds are
diminished on the right, tactile fremitus is decreased and there is
dullness to percussion over the right lower lobe. The respiratory
therapist should suspect that the patient is suffering from
A. pneumonia.
B. pulmonary embolism.
C. pleural effusion.
D. bronchiolitis. Correct Ans ➡ pleural effusion
Which of the following suction catheters would be appropriate to
use for a patient with a size 8.0 mm ID endotracheal tube?
A. 8 Fr
B. 10 Fr
C. 12 Fr
D. 14 Fr Correct Ans ➡ 12 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
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.
Correct Ans ➡ the
endotracheal tube has slipped into the right main stem bronchus
The respiratory therapist notes a developing hematoma after an
arterial blood gas was drawn from the right radial artery. The
immediate response is to
A. notify the charge nurse.
B. apply a pressure dressing.
2022/2023 A+ ANSWERS SUCCESS ASSUARED
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
A. liver failure.
B. pulmonary embolism.
C. heart failure.
D. electrolyte imbalances Correct Ans ➡ 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?
A. Call for a STAT chest x-ray.
B. Insert a chest tube into the left chest.
C. Needle aspirate the 2nd left intercostal space.
D. Activate the medical emergency team to intubate the patient.
Correct Ans ➡
Needle aspirate the 2nd left intercostal space.
All of the following strategies are likely to decrease the likelihood
of damage to the tracheal mucosa EXCEPT
A. maintaining cuff pressures between 20 and 25 mm Hg.
B. using the minimal leak technique for inflation.
C. using a low-residual-volume, low-compliance cuff.
D. monitoring intracuff pressures. Correct Ans ➡
monitoring intracuff pressures.
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.
,NURS 6531 TMC EXAM QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
2022/2023 A+ ANSWERS SUCCESS ASSUARED
D. deep breathing and coughing to clear secretions.
Correct Ans ➡ deep
breathing and coughing to clear secretions.
A 65 kg spinal cord injured patient has developed atelectasis. His
inspiratory capacity is 30% of his predicted value. What bronchial
hygiene therapy would be most appropriate initially?
A. IS / SMI
B. IPPB with normal saline
C. postural drainage and percussion
D. PEP therapy Correct Ans ➡ IPPB with normal saline
A patient on VC ventilation has demonstrated 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 Ans➡ 1, 2, and 3 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?
A. Perform chest physiotherapy
B. Administer an IPPB treatment
C. Insert an endotracheal tube
D. Insert a chest tube Correct Ans➡ Insert a chest tube
A 55 year-old post cardiac surgery 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.
A. 2.5 vol%
B. 4.0 vol%
C. 5.0 vol%
D. 5.5 vol% Correct Ans➡ 5.0 vol%
A patient on VC, SIMV with a VT of 500 mL has a PIP of 25 cm
H2O, Pplat of 15 cm H2O and PEEP of 5 cm H2O. What is the
patient's static lung compliance
,NURS 6531 TMC EXAM QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
2022/2023 A+ ANSWERS SUCCESS ASSUARED
A. 25 mL/cm H2O
B. 35 mL/cm H2O
C. 45 mL/cm H2O
D. 50 mL/cm H2O Correct Ans ➡ 50 mL/cm H2O
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 86%. Which of the following would be most
appropriate at this time?
A. cool mist aerosol treatment
B. aerosolized racemic epinephrine
C. manual ventilation with resuscitation bag and mask
D. reintubation Correct Ans ➡ reintubation
Which of the following patients would most likely benefit from
pressure support ventilation?
A. An intubated patient with an absent respiratory drive.
B. A patient on SIMV with a set rate of 12/min and total rate of
24/min.
C. A patient with acute lung injury.
D. A patient who requires short-term post-operative ventilatory
support. Correct Ans ➡ A patient on SIMV with a set rate of
12/min and total rate of 24/min.
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?
A. Initiate bronchial hygiene therapy.
B. Obtain a sputum gram stain.
C. Administer IPV.
D. Insert a CASS tube. Correct Ans➡ Obtain a sputum gram stain.
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 Ans➡ 1 and 2 only
, NURS 6531 TMC EXAM QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
2022/2023 A+ ANSWERS SUCCESS ASSUARED
The respiratory therapist is providing patient 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
A. sterilize the equipment.
B. retard bacterial growth.
C. kill all micro-organisms and spores.
D. extend the equipment life. Correct Ans ➡ Retard
bacterial growth
A patient who complains of dyspnea is noted to have a dry, non-
productive cough. On physical examination, breath sounds are
diminished on the right, tactile fremitus is decreased and there is
dullness to percussion over the right lower lobe. The respiratory
therapist should suspect that the patient is suffering from
A. pneumonia.
B. pulmonary embolism.
C. pleural effusion.
D. bronchiolitis. Correct Ans ➡ pleural effusion
Which of the following suction catheters would be appropriate to
use for a patient with a size 8.0 mm ID endotracheal tube?
A. 8 Fr
B. 10 Fr
C. 12 Fr
D. 14 Fr Correct Ans ➡ 12 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
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.
Correct Ans ➡ the
endotracheal tube has slipped into the right main stem bronchus
The respiratory therapist notes a developing hematoma after an
arterial blood gas was drawn from the right radial artery. The
immediate response is to
A. notify the charge nurse.
B. apply a pressure dressing.
