Form A Practice Exam NBRC Questions With
Verified Answers
1.A respiratory therapist is assisting a physician with endotracheal intubation. Which of the following
should be used INITIALLY to confirm tracheal intubation?
A.
cm marking of the endotracheal tube
B.
observable condensation in the tube
C.
pulse oximetry
D.
colorimetric capnography
D. Colorimetric capnography assesses the presence of CO2 and provides confirmation of tracheal
intubation when CO2 is detected.
2. A respiratory therapist is asked to review a newborn's history. The following information is
available about the first few minutes after birth:
1 minute5 minutes
Appearance: acrocyanosis, pink
heart rate: 70/min, 110/min
Reflex: cough, cough
Muscle tone: weak, active motion
Respiratory rate: 20/min, 40/min
Which of the following APGAR scores should the therapist expect to see for this infant?
1-minute 5-minute
1. 4 8
2. 5 8
3. 6 10
4. 7 10
A.1
B.2
C.3
D.4
C. 3
3.A 58-year-old female was diagnosed with bronchiectasis 3 years ago. She reports increased cough
and difficulty clearing secretions for the past 4 weeks. A chest radiograph shows no significant
changes. Which of the following should the respiratory therapist recommend FIRST?
A.
transtracheal aspiration
B.
airway clearance therapy
C.
bronchodilator treatments
D.
respiratory isolation
B. AIrway clearance therapy
,4. A 24-year-old female is diagnosed with exercise-induced asthma and albuterol prn is ordered. A
respiratory therapist should NEXT
A.
refer the patient for allergy skin testing.
B.
educate the patient on obtaining daily peak flow measurements.
C.
instruct the patient to use albuterol 15 minutes before exercising.
D.
suggest the patient use pursed lip breathing while exercising.
C. Instruct the patient to use albuterol 15 minutes before exercising
5. In which of the following circumstances will tracheal secretions tend to dry in an intubated patient?
A.
a water vapor pressure of 47 mm Hg
B.
a relative humidity of 100% at 22° C (71.6° F)
C.
a dew point of 37° C (98.6° F)
D.
an absolute humidity of 44 mg/L
B. A relative humidity of 100% at 22 degrees C
6. Prior to suctioning the endotracheal tube of an adult patient who is receiving ventilation with an
FIO2 of 0.40, a respiratory therapist should FIRST
A.
lubricate the catheter.
B.
hyperoxygenate the patient.
C.
cleanse the catheter with water.
D.
administer an FIO2 of 0.40 by T-piece.
B. Hyperoxygenate the patient
7. A 25-year-old patient with apnea is receiving PC ventilation. ABG analysis results are as follows:
pH 7.20
PCO2 65 mm Hg
PO2 70 mm Hg
HCO3- 25 mEq/L
BE -4 mEq/L
SO2 (calc) 94%
A respiratory therapist should recommend increasing the
A.
set inspiratory pressure.
B.
expiratory time.
C.
,sensitivity.
D.
peak flow.
A. set inspiratory pressure
8. A 68-year-old patient who is post-CABG was extubated 4 hours ago and complains of increasing
shortness of breath. Breath sounds are decreased over the right lung field. The following data are
available while the patient receives 4-L oxygen by nasal cannula:
HR 103/min
RR 27/min
BP 155/90 mm Hg
SpO2 90%
Which of the following studies should a respiratory therapist recommend FIRST?
A.
bedside spirometry
B.
chest CT with contrast
C.
ventilation/perfusion scan
D.
chest radiograph
D. Chest radiograph
9. Which of the following medications should a respiratory therapist use to anesthetize a patient's
airway prior to a flexible bronchoscopy procedure?
A.
lidocaine HCl
B.
midazolam HCl (Versed)
C.
ketamine (Ketalar)
D.
vecuronium bromide (Norcuron)
A. Lidocaine HCl
10. A respiratory therapist is evaluating a 75-kg (165-lb), 180-cm (5-ft 11-in) male who is receiving VC,
SIMV. The following patient data are obtained:
FIO2 0.40
Mandatory rate 8
Total rate 8
VT 550 mL
PEEP 8 cm H2O
pH 7.27
PaCO2 55 mm Hg
PaO2 94 mm Hg
HCO3- 25 mEq/L
BE -3 mEq/L
SaO2 (calc) 97%
, Which of the following should the therapist recommend?
A.
Maintain current settings.
B.
Increase the mandatory rate to 12.
C.
Decrease the FIO2 to 0.30.
D.
Decrease the tidal volume to 450 mL.
B. Increasing the mandatory rate to 12
11. A 63-year-old patient with COPD is seen in the pulmonary clinic for a routine appointment. The
analysis results of an ABG sample drawn while the patient is breathing air are:
pH 7.40
PCO2 57 mm Hg
PO2 42 mm Hg
HCO3- 35 mEq/L
BE +8 mEq/L
SO2 (calc) 77%
Which of the following is the most appropriate NEXT step?
A.
Schedule polysomnography.
B.
Initiate supplemental oxygen.
C.
Perform a 6-minute walk test.
D.
Coach on deep breathing
B. Initiate supplemental oxygen
12. A pulse oximeter can provide an accurate indication of a patient's oxyhemoglobin saturation in
which of the following clinical conditions?
1. congestive heart failure
2. polycythemia
3. pulmonary hypertension
4. carbon monoxide poisoning
A.
1, 2, and 3 only
B.
2, 3, and 4 only
C.
1, 2, and 4 only
D.
1, 3, and 4 only
A. 1, 2, and 3 only
13. A patient receiving mechanical ventilation by a portable ventilator is being transported from the
ED to radiology. Which of the following is required during transport?
Verified Answers
1.A respiratory therapist is assisting a physician with endotracheal intubation. Which of the following
should be used INITIALLY to confirm tracheal intubation?
A.
cm marking of the endotracheal tube
B.
observable condensation in the tube
C.
pulse oximetry
D.
colorimetric capnography
D. Colorimetric capnography assesses the presence of CO2 and provides confirmation of tracheal
intubation when CO2 is detected.
2. A respiratory therapist is asked to review a newborn's history. The following information is
available about the first few minutes after birth:
1 minute5 minutes
Appearance: acrocyanosis, pink
heart rate: 70/min, 110/min
Reflex: cough, cough
Muscle tone: weak, active motion
Respiratory rate: 20/min, 40/min
Which of the following APGAR scores should the therapist expect to see for this infant?
1-minute 5-minute
1. 4 8
2. 5 8
3. 6 10
4. 7 10
A.1
B.2
C.3
D.4
C. 3
3.A 58-year-old female was diagnosed with bronchiectasis 3 years ago. She reports increased cough
and difficulty clearing secretions for the past 4 weeks. A chest radiograph shows no significant
changes. Which of the following should the respiratory therapist recommend FIRST?
A.
transtracheal aspiration
B.
airway clearance therapy
C.
bronchodilator treatments
D.
respiratory isolation
B. AIrway clearance therapy
,4. A 24-year-old female is diagnosed with exercise-induced asthma and albuterol prn is ordered. A
respiratory therapist should NEXT
A.
refer the patient for allergy skin testing.
B.
educate the patient on obtaining daily peak flow measurements.
C.
instruct the patient to use albuterol 15 minutes before exercising.
D.
suggest the patient use pursed lip breathing while exercising.
C. Instruct the patient to use albuterol 15 minutes before exercising
5. In which of the following circumstances will tracheal secretions tend to dry in an intubated patient?
A.
a water vapor pressure of 47 mm Hg
B.
a relative humidity of 100% at 22° C (71.6° F)
C.
a dew point of 37° C (98.6° F)
D.
an absolute humidity of 44 mg/L
B. A relative humidity of 100% at 22 degrees C
6. Prior to suctioning the endotracheal tube of an adult patient who is receiving ventilation with an
FIO2 of 0.40, a respiratory therapist should FIRST
A.
lubricate the catheter.
B.
hyperoxygenate the patient.
C.
cleanse the catheter with water.
D.
administer an FIO2 of 0.40 by T-piece.
B. Hyperoxygenate the patient
7. A 25-year-old patient with apnea is receiving PC ventilation. ABG analysis results are as follows:
pH 7.20
PCO2 65 mm Hg
PO2 70 mm Hg
HCO3- 25 mEq/L
BE -4 mEq/L
SO2 (calc) 94%
A respiratory therapist should recommend increasing the
A.
set inspiratory pressure.
B.
expiratory time.
C.
,sensitivity.
D.
peak flow.
A. set inspiratory pressure
8. A 68-year-old patient who is post-CABG was extubated 4 hours ago and complains of increasing
shortness of breath. Breath sounds are decreased over the right lung field. The following data are
available while the patient receives 4-L oxygen by nasal cannula:
HR 103/min
RR 27/min
BP 155/90 mm Hg
SpO2 90%
Which of the following studies should a respiratory therapist recommend FIRST?
A.
bedside spirometry
B.
chest CT with contrast
C.
ventilation/perfusion scan
D.
chest radiograph
D. Chest radiograph
9. Which of the following medications should a respiratory therapist use to anesthetize a patient's
airway prior to a flexible bronchoscopy procedure?
A.
lidocaine HCl
B.
midazolam HCl (Versed)
C.
ketamine (Ketalar)
D.
vecuronium bromide (Norcuron)
A. Lidocaine HCl
10. A respiratory therapist is evaluating a 75-kg (165-lb), 180-cm (5-ft 11-in) male who is receiving VC,
SIMV. The following patient data are obtained:
FIO2 0.40
Mandatory rate 8
Total rate 8
VT 550 mL
PEEP 8 cm H2O
pH 7.27
PaCO2 55 mm Hg
PaO2 94 mm Hg
HCO3- 25 mEq/L
BE -3 mEq/L
SaO2 (calc) 97%
, Which of the following should the therapist recommend?
A.
Maintain current settings.
B.
Increase the mandatory rate to 12.
C.
Decrease the FIO2 to 0.30.
D.
Decrease the tidal volume to 450 mL.
B. Increasing the mandatory rate to 12
11. A 63-year-old patient with COPD is seen in the pulmonary clinic for a routine appointment. The
analysis results of an ABG sample drawn while the patient is breathing air are:
pH 7.40
PCO2 57 mm Hg
PO2 42 mm Hg
HCO3- 35 mEq/L
BE +8 mEq/L
SO2 (calc) 77%
Which of the following is the most appropriate NEXT step?
A.
Schedule polysomnography.
B.
Initiate supplemental oxygen.
C.
Perform a 6-minute walk test.
D.
Coach on deep breathing
B. Initiate supplemental oxygen
12. A pulse oximeter can provide an accurate indication of a patient's oxyhemoglobin saturation in
which of the following clinical conditions?
1. congestive heart failure
2. polycythemia
3. pulmonary hypertension
4. carbon monoxide poisoning
A.
1, 2, and 3 only
B.
2, 3, and 4 only
C.
1, 2, and 4 only
D.
1, 3, and 4 only
A. 1, 2, and 3 only
13. A patient receiving mechanical ventilation by a portable ventilator is being transported from the
ED to radiology. Which of the following is required during transport?
