ACCS Respiratory Exam Questions &
Answers 2024
Normal Urine Output - ANSWER-40 mL/hr (approx. 1 Liter/day)
Decreased CVP (<2 mmHg) - ANSWER-Hypovolemia
Increased CVP (>6 mmHg) - ANSWER-Hypervolemia
Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) - ANSWER-Eye-opening response
Spontaneous opening- 4
To verbal stimuli- 3
To pain- 2
None- 1
Most appropriate verbal response
Oriented- 5
Confused- 4
Inappropriate words- 3
Incoherent- 2
None- 1
Most intergrated motor response (arm)
Obeys commands- 6
Localizes pain- 5
Withdraws from pain- 4
Flexion to pain- 3
Extension to pain- 2
None- 1
,Orthopnea - ANSWER-ability to breathe only in an upright position (CHF, Heart problem)
General malaise - ANSWER-Run down feeling, nausea, weakness, fatigue, headache (electrolyte
imbalance)
Dyspnea - ANSWER-Grade 1- occurs after unusual exertion
Grade 2- breathless after going up hills or stairs
Grade 3- while walking at normal speed
Grade 4- slowly walking a short distance
Grade 5- at rest, shaving, dressing, etc.
vasovagal syncope - ANSWER-Common dizziness and fainting, caused by loss of peripheral venous tone
orthostatic hypotension - ANSWER-Excessive drop in BP when assuming the standing position
Carotid sinus syncope - ANSWER-Associated with hypertension carotid sinus - more common in elderly
patients
Cough (tussive) syncope - ANSWER-Transient loss of consciousness following severe coughing
FUO - ANSWER-fever of unknown origin
heart rate - ANSWER-60-100 bpm
Respiratory rate - ANSWER-12-20 breaths per minute
Temperature Norm. - ANSWER-Oral- 97.0-99.5 *F (36.5-37.5 *C)
Rectal- 98.7-100.5 *F (37.1-38.1 *C)
Ear- 98.7-100.5 *F (37.1-38.1*C)
,PERRLA - ANSWER-pupils- equal, round, reactive to light and accommodation
Miosis - ANSWER-constricted pupils (pinpoint)
Ptosis - ANSWER-Drooping of the upper eyelid
Diplopia - ANSWER-Blurred or double vision
Nystagmus - ANSWER-involuntary, rapid, rhythmic movement of the eyeball
Peripheral edema - ANSWER-Presence of excess fluid in the tissue.
Caused by CHF, pulmonary hypertension, venous insufficiency and renal failure.
Rated +1,+2,+3,+4; higher numbers indicate more severs swelling.
May be described as "pitting edema"
ascites - ANSWER-abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdomen, generally caused by liver failure
Clubbing of fingers - ANSWER-Caused by chronic hypoxemia, suggestive of pulmonary disease
Eupnea - ANSWER-normal respiratory rate, depth and rhythm
Tachypnea - ANSWER-increased respiratory rate (over 20 breaths per minute)
Bradypnea - ANSWER-decreased respiratory rate (less than 12 per minute) variable depth and irregular
rhythm
Apnea - ANSWER-not breathing
, Hyperpnea - ANSWER-increased respiratory rate, increased depth, regular rhythm (caused by metabolic
disorder, CNS disorder)
Cheyne Stokes - ANSWER-gradually increasing then decreasing rate and depth in a cycle lasting from 30-
180 seconds, with periods of apnea lasting up to 60 seconds.
Biot's - ANSWER-increased respiratory rate and depth with irregular periods of apnea. Each breath has
the same depth.
Kussmaul's - ANSWER-Increased respiratory rate (usually over 20 breaths/min.), increased depth,
irregular rhythm, breathing sounds labored.
Apneustic - ANSWER-prolonged gasping inspiration followed by extremely short, insufficient expiration.
Macroglossia - ANSWER-Enlarged tongue
Cachectic - ANSWER-Muscle wasting
Normal Pulse - ANSWER-60-100 bpm
Tachycardia - ANSWER->100 bpm, indicated hypoxemia, anxiety, stress
Bradycardia - ANSWER-<60 bpm, indicates heart failure, shock, code/emergency
Heart rate change more than 20 bpm - ANSWER-Considered an adverse reaction, stop therapy, notify
nurse/doctor
Pulse varies with respiration - ANSWER-May indicate air trapping (status asthmaticus or cardiac
tamponade)
Tracheal Deviation, Toward - ANSWER-Pulmonary atelectasis
Answers 2024
Normal Urine Output - ANSWER-40 mL/hr (approx. 1 Liter/day)
Decreased CVP (<2 mmHg) - ANSWER-Hypovolemia
Increased CVP (>6 mmHg) - ANSWER-Hypervolemia
Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) - ANSWER-Eye-opening response
Spontaneous opening- 4
To verbal stimuli- 3
To pain- 2
None- 1
Most appropriate verbal response
Oriented- 5
Confused- 4
Inappropriate words- 3
Incoherent- 2
None- 1
Most intergrated motor response (arm)
Obeys commands- 6
Localizes pain- 5
Withdraws from pain- 4
Flexion to pain- 3
Extension to pain- 2
None- 1
,Orthopnea - ANSWER-ability to breathe only in an upright position (CHF, Heart problem)
General malaise - ANSWER-Run down feeling, nausea, weakness, fatigue, headache (electrolyte
imbalance)
Dyspnea - ANSWER-Grade 1- occurs after unusual exertion
Grade 2- breathless after going up hills or stairs
Grade 3- while walking at normal speed
Grade 4- slowly walking a short distance
Grade 5- at rest, shaving, dressing, etc.
vasovagal syncope - ANSWER-Common dizziness and fainting, caused by loss of peripheral venous tone
orthostatic hypotension - ANSWER-Excessive drop in BP when assuming the standing position
Carotid sinus syncope - ANSWER-Associated with hypertension carotid sinus - more common in elderly
patients
Cough (tussive) syncope - ANSWER-Transient loss of consciousness following severe coughing
FUO - ANSWER-fever of unknown origin
heart rate - ANSWER-60-100 bpm
Respiratory rate - ANSWER-12-20 breaths per minute
Temperature Norm. - ANSWER-Oral- 97.0-99.5 *F (36.5-37.5 *C)
Rectal- 98.7-100.5 *F (37.1-38.1 *C)
Ear- 98.7-100.5 *F (37.1-38.1*C)
,PERRLA - ANSWER-pupils- equal, round, reactive to light and accommodation
Miosis - ANSWER-constricted pupils (pinpoint)
Ptosis - ANSWER-Drooping of the upper eyelid
Diplopia - ANSWER-Blurred or double vision
Nystagmus - ANSWER-involuntary, rapid, rhythmic movement of the eyeball
Peripheral edema - ANSWER-Presence of excess fluid in the tissue.
Caused by CHF, pulmonary hypertension, venous insufficiency and renal failure.
Rated +1,+2,+3,+4; higher numbers indicate more severs swelling.
May be described as "pitting edema"
ascites - ANSWER-abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdomen, generally caused by liver failure
Clubbing of fingers - ANSWER-Caused by chronic hypoxemia, suggestive of pulmonary disease
Eupnea - ANSWER-normal respiratory rate, depth and rhythm
Tachypnea - ANSWER-increased respiratory rate (over 20 breaths per minute)
Bradypnea - ANSWER-decreased respiratory rate (less than 12 per minute) variable depth and irregular
rhythm
Apnea - ANSWER-not breathing
, Hyperpnea - ANSWER-increased respiratory rate, increased depth, regular rhythm (caused by metabolic
disorder, CNS disorder)
Cheyne Stokes - ANSWER-gradually increasing then decreasing rate and depth in a cycle lasting from 30-
180 seconds, with periods of apnea lasting up to 60 seconds.
Biot's - ANSWER-increased respiratory rate and depth with irregular periods of apnea. Each breath has
the same depth.
Kussmaul's - ANSWER-Increased respiratory rate (usually over 20 breaths/min.), increased depth,
irregular rhythm, breathing sounds labored.
Apneustic - ANSWER-prolonged gasping inspiration followed by extremely short, insufficient expiration.
Macroglossia - ANSWER-Enlarged tongue
Cachectic - ANSWER-Muscle wasting
Normal Pulse - ANSWER-60-100 bpm
Tachycardia - ANSWER->100 bpm, indicated hypoxemia, anxiety, stress
Bradycardia - ANSWER-<60 bpm, indicates heart failure, shock, code/emergency
Heart rate change more than 20 bpm - ANSWER-Considered an adverse reaction, stop therapy, notify
nurse/doctor
Pulse varies with respiration - ANSWER-May indicate air trapping (status asthmaticus or cardiac
tamponade)
Tracheal Deviation, Toward - ANSWER-Pulmonary atelectasis
