RRT Boards Exam Review Questions with
100% Correct Answers Verified | Updated
2024/2025
ABG measures what? What is Calculated?
Measured:
- pH
- PaCO2
- PaO2
Estimated:
- HCO3
What are the four life functions and what order do they go in to fix an issue?
- Ventilation
- Oxygenation
- Circulation
- Perfusion
Out of the four life functions, which one is the most common problem?
Oxygenation
What does HPI stand for?
History of Present illness
What is the pack years equation?
# of packs per day X number of years smoked
How many pack years are significant and usually indicate possible COPD?
20 pack years
Calculate the pack years:
4 packs per day
10 years of smoking
4 packs x 10 yeas = 40 pack years
If a patient has a change in prognosis, what should you look for?
Change in orders
(To start new methods of treatment)
What is a normal urine output?
40 mL/hr
(approximately 1 Liter/day)
,Difference between CVP Swan Ganz catheter and Central line?
CVP Swan Ganz = 2-6 mmHg
CVP Central Line = 4-12 cmH20
What does Medication Reconciliation mean?
To check whether or not the medications that a patient is on match the ones they use at home if
possible
If carbohydrates are increased, how does that affect the RQ (Respiratory Quotient)?
↑ Carbohydrates = ↑ RQ = ↑ CO2
Rapid weight loss vs Rapid weight gain?
Rapid weight loss = Cancer
Rapid weight gain = Fluid overload
Recommended diet for COPD patient?
Recommended Diet:
↑ Proteins
↑ Fats
↓ Carbohydrates
Peripheral Edema shows what?
Excessive fluid in the tissue
How is Peripheral Edema Rated?
+1, +2, +3, etc. the higher the number, the greater the swelling
What causes Peripheral Edema?
- CHF (Congestive Heart Failure)
- Renal Failure
What does Ascites mean?
Accumulation of fluid in the abdomen
(Usually caused by Liver failure)
Clubbing of fingers is caused by?
Chronic Hypoxemia
Chronic hypoxemia is defined as?
↓ PaO2 for a long period of time
Venous Distention is usually seen in what patients and when should you look for it?
CHF
,(Seen during exhalation in obstructive air trapping patients)
How do you test for peripheral circulation?
Using Capillary Refill by blanching the hand and waiting for color to return
What is a normal Capillary Refill?
≤ 3 seconds = normal
What does Diaphoresis mean?
Profuse/heavy Sweating
What patient usually has Diaphoresis during the night?
Tuberculosis
(Night Sweats)
Jaundice is caused by?
increased bilirubin levels in the blood and tissue
(Usually alcoholics)
What does Erythema mean?
Redness of the skin
Erythema is usually a sign on what type of patients?
CO poisoning
(Carbon monoxide)
What are the 3 stages to checking skin integrity?
Stage 1 = Redness/warm to touch
Stage 2 = Skin is broken
Stage 3 = Crevice (Can go past the fatty tissue)
Pectus Carinatum shows what?
Anterior protrusion of the sternum
(Pigeon Chest/Bird beak)
Pectus Excavatum shows what?
Depression of the sternum
(Excavate = to dig, so it digs down into the chest)
Pectus excavatum is usually seen with what kind of patients?
CHF
, Kyphosis shows what?
Convex curvature of the spine (Forward lean)
Scoliosis shows what?
Lateral "S" shape curvature of the spine (Lean side to side)
Kyphoscoliosis is a combination of Kyphosis and Scoliosis and shows what kind of lung pattern?
Restrictive pattern
(Reduced lung volumes)
↓ Vital Capacity
Barrel Chest shows what?
Increased Anterior Posterior Diameter
(Puffed up like a balloon)
Barrel Chest is usually seen in what type of patients?
COPD
(Due to lose in elasticity in lung muscles from air trapping for a long amount of time)
What does Eupnea mean?
Normal breathing pattern
What is a normal respiratory rate for adults?
12-20 bpm
What does Apnea mean?
absence of breathing
What does Cheyne-Stokes breathing pattern show?
Gradually increasing then decreasing rate and depth in a cycle lasting 30-180 seconds with periods of
apnea lasting up to 60 seconds
What patients show Cheyne-Stokes?
- Increased ICP levels
- Brainstem Injury
- Drug overdose
What does Biot's breathing pattern show?
Increased respiratory rate and depth with irregular periods of apnea
100% Correct Answers Verified | Updated
2024/2025
ABG measures what? What is Calculated?
Measured:
- pH
- PaCO2
- PaO2
Estimated:
- HCO3
What are the four life functions and what order do they go in to fix an issue?
- Ventilation
- Oxygenation
- Circulation
- Perfusion
Out of the four life functions, which one is the most common problem?
Oxygenation
What does HPI stand for?
History of Present illness
What is the pack years equation?
# of packs per day X number of years smoked
How many pack years are significant and usually indicate possible COPD?
20 pack years
Calculate the pack years:
4 packs per day
10 years of smoking
4 packs x 10 yeas = 40 pack years
If a patient has a change in prognosis, what should you look for?
Change in orders
(To start new methods of treatment)
What is a normal urine output?
40 mL/hr
(approximately 1 Liter/day)
,Difference between CVP Swan Ganz catheter and Central line?
CVP Swan Ganz = 2-6 mmHg
CVP Central Line = 4-12 cmH20
What does Medication Reconciliation mean?
To check whether or not the medications that a patient is on match the ones they use at home if
possible
If carbohydrates are increased, how does that affect the RQ (Respiratory Quotient)?
↑ Carbohydrates = ↑ RQ = ↑ CO2
Rapid weight loss vs Rapid weight gain?
Rapid weight loss = Cancer
Rapid weight gain = Fluid overload
Recommended diet for COPD patient?
Recommended Diet:
↑ Proteins
↑ Fats
↓ Carbohydrates
Peripheral Edema shows what?
Excessive fluid in the tissue
How is Peripheral Edema Rated?
+1, +2, +3, etc. the higher the number, the greater the swelling
What causes Peripheral Edema?
- CHF (Congestive Heart Failure)
- Renal Failure
What does Ascites mean?
Accumulation of fluid in the abdomen
(Usually caused by Liver failure)
Clubbing of fingers is caused by?
Chronic Hypoxemia
Chronic hypoxemia is defined as?
↓ PaO2 for a long period of time
Venous Distention is usually seen in what patients and when should you look for it?
CHF
,(Seen during exhalation in obstructive air trapping patients)
How do you test for peripheral circulation?
Using Capillary Refill by blanching the hand and waiting for color to return
What is a normal Capillary Refill?
≤ 3 seconds = normal
What does Diaphoresis mean?
Profuse/heavy Sweating
What patient usually has Diaphoresis during the night?
Tuberculosis
(Night Sweats)
Jaundice is caused by?
increased bilirubin levels in the blood and tissue
(Usually alcoholics)
What does Erythema mean?
Redness of the skin
Erythema is usually a sign on what type of patients?
CO poisoning
(Carbon monoxide)
What are the 3 stages to checking skin integrity?
Stage 1 = Redness/warm to touch
Stage 2 = Skin is broken
Stage 3 = Crevice (Can go past the fatty tissue)
Pectus Carinatum shows what?
Anterior protrusion of the sternum
(Pigeon Chest/Bird beak)
Pectus Excavatum shows what?
Depression of the sternum
(Excavate = to dig, so it digs down into the chest)
Pectus excavatum is usually seen with what kind of patients?
CHF
, Kyphosis shows what?
Convex curvature of the spine (Forward lean)
Scoliosis shows what?
Lateral "S" shape curvature of the spine (Lean side to side)
Kyphoscoliosis is a combination of Kyphosis and Scoliosis and shows what kind of lung pattern?
Restrictive pattern
(Reduced lung volumes)
↓ Vital Capacity
Barrel Chest shows what?
Increased Anterior Posterior Diameter
(Puffed up like a balloon)
Barrel Chest is usually seen in what type of patients?
COPD
(Due to lose in elasticity in lung muscles from air trapping for a long amount of time)
What does Eupnea mean?
Normal breathing pattern
What is a normal respiratory rate for adults?
12-20 bpm
What does Apnea mean?
absence of breathing
What does Cheyne-Stokes breathing pattern show?
Gradually increasing then decreasing rate and depth in a cycle lasting 30-180 seconds with periods of
apnea lasting up to 60 seconds
What patients show Cheyne-Stokes?
- Increased ICP levels
- Brainstem Injury
- Drug overdose
What does Biot's breathing pattern show?
Increased respiratory rate and depth with irregular periods of apnea
