North Carolina (NC) Respiratory Care
Practitioner Exam
Nonstop 250 Questions and Answers
Question 1. Which component of the patient history is most critical in assessing
risk factors for COPD?
A) Family history of lung disease
B) Smoking history
C) Past medical history of asthma
D) Recent travel history
Answer: B
Explanation: Smoking history is the most significant risk factor for COPD
development, as it directly damages the alveoli and airways, leading to emphysema
and chronic bronchitis.
Question 2. During a physical assessment, which finding suggests digital clubbing?
A) Bluish discoloration of fingertips
B) Bulbous enlargement of the distal phalanges
C) Cyanosis of lips
D) Elevated respiratory rate
Answer: B
Explanation: Digital clubbing involves bulbous enlargement of the distal phalanges
and is associated with chronic hypoxia seen in diseases like cystic fibrosis or lung
cancer.
, North Carolina (NC) Respiratory Care
Practitioner Exam
Question 3. Which vital sign interpretation indicates possible respiratory distress?
A) Heart rate of 60 bpm
B) Respiratory rate of 20/min
C) Respiratory rate of 30/min with accessory muscle use
D) Blood pressure of 120/80 mm Hg
Answer: C
Explanation: An elevated respiratory rate with accessory muscle use indicates
respiratory distress requiring further evaluation.
Question 4. In auscultation, which sound is considered adventitious?
A) Vesicular breath sounds
B) Crackles
C) S1 and S2 heart sounds
D) Normal bronchovesicular sounds
Answer: B
Explanation: Crackles are adventitious lung sounds indicating fluid in the alveoli,
commonly associated with pneumonia or pulmonary edema.
Question 5. Which spirometry value indicates an obstructive pattern?
A) FEV1/FVC ratio of 65%
B) TLC within normal limits
C) FVC reduced, but FEV1/FVC normal
, North Carolina (NC) Respiratory Care
Practitioner Exam
D) Diffusion capacity decreased
Answer: A
Explanation: An FEV1/FVC ratio less than 70% suggests airflow obstruction
characteristic of diseases like COPD or asthma.
Question 6. What does a decreased DLCO indicate?
A) Restrictive lung disease
B) Obstructive lung disease
C) Pulmonary vascular disease
D) Normal lung function
Answer: C
Explanation: A decreased diffusion capacity (DLCO) suggests impaired gas
exchange, often seen in pulmonary vascular diseases like pulmonary hypertension.
Question 7. Which arterial blood gas value suggests respiratory acidosis?
A) pH 7.48, PaCO2 30 mm Hg
B) pH 7.25, PaCO2 55 mm Hg
C) pH 7.50, HCO3 24 mEq/L
D) pH 7.40, PaCO2 40 mm Hg
Answer: B
Explanation: A low pH with elevated PaCO2 indicates respiratory acidosis due to
hypoventilation.
, North Carolina (NC) Respiratory Care
Practitioner Exam
Question 8. Which laboratory study is most useful in identifying bacterial
pneumonia?
A) Complete Blood Count (CBC)
B) Sputum Gram stain and culture
C) Electrolytes
D) Cardiac enzymes
Answer: B
Explanation: Sputum Gram stain and culture identify causative bacteria in
pneumonia, guiding targeted antimicrobial therapy.
Question 9. On a chest X-ray, which finding is characteristic of a pneumothorax?
A) Diffuse infiltrates
B) Visible visceral pleural line with absence of lung markings peripherally
C) Cardiomegaly
D) Kerley B lines
Answer: B
Explanation: A pneumothorax appears as a visceral pleural line with no lung
markings beyond it, indicating collapsed lung tissue.
Question 10. Which non-invasive monitoring device provides continuous
measurement of end-tidal CO2?
A) Pulse oximeter
Practitioner Exam
Nonstop 250 Questions and Answers
Question 1. Which component of the patient history is most critical in assessing
risk factors for COPD?
A) Family history of lung disease
B) Smoking history
C) Past medical history of asthma
D) Recent travel history
Answer: B
Explanation: Smoking history is the most significant risk factor for COPD
development, as it directly damages the alveoli and airways, leading to emphysema
and chronic bronchitis.
Question 2. During a physical assessment, which finding suggests digital clubbing?
A) Bluish discoloration of fingertips
B) Bulbous enlargement of the distal phalanges
C) Cyanosis of lips
D) Elevated respiratory rate
Answer: B
Explanation: Digital clubbing involves bulbous enlargement of the distal phalanges
and is associated with chronic hypoxia seen in diseases like cystic fibrosis or lung
cancer.
, North Carolina (NC) Respiratory Care
Practitioner Exam
Question 3. Which vital sign interpretation indicates possible respiratory distress?
A) Heart rate of 60 bpm
B) Respiratory rate of 20/min
C) Respiratory rate of 30/min with accessory muscle use
D) Blood pressure of 120/80 mm Hg
Answer: C
Explanation: An elevated respiratory rate with accessory muscle use indicates
respiratory distress requiring further evaluation.
Question 4. In auscultation, which sound is considered adventitious?
A) Vesicular breath sounds
B) Crackles
C) S1 and S2 heart sounds
D) Normal bronchovesicular sounds
Answer: B
Explanation: Crackles are adventitious lung sounds indicating fluid in the alveoli,
commonly associated with pneumonia or pulmonary edema.
Question 5. Which spirometry value indicates an obstructive pattern?
A) FEV1/FVC ratio of 65%
B) TLC within normal limits
C) FVC reduced, but FEV1/FVC normal
, North Carolina (NC) Respiratory Care
Practitioner Exam
D) Diffusion capacity decreased
Answer: A
Explanation: An FEV1/FVC ratio less than 70% suggests airflow obstruction
characteristic of diseases like COPD or asthma.
Question 6. What does a decreased DLCO indicate?
A) Restrictive lung disease
B) Obstructive lung disease
C) Pulmonary vascular disease
D) Normal lung function
Answer: C
Explanation: A decreased diffusion capacity (DLCO) suggests impaired gas
exchange, often seen in pulmonary vascular diseases like pulmonary hypertension.
Question 7. Which arterial blood gas value suggests respiratory acidosis?
A) pH 7.48, PaCO2 30 mm Hg
B) pH 7.25, PaCO2 55 mm Hg
C) pH 7.50, HCO3 24 mEq/L
D) pH 7.40, PaCO2 40 mm Hg
Answer: B
Explanation: A low pH with elevated PaCO2 indicates respiratory acidosis due to
hypoventilation.
, North Carolina (NC) Respiratory Care
Practitioner Exam
Question 8. Which laboratory study is most useful in identifying bacterial
pneumonia?
A) Complete Blood Count (CBC)
B) Sputum Gram stain and culture
C) Electrolytes
D) Cardiac enzymes
Answer: B
Explanation: Sputum Gram stain and culture identify causative bacteria in
pneumonia, guiding targeted antimicrobial therapy.
Question 9. On a chest X-ray, which finding is characteristic of a pneumothorax?
A) Diffuse infiltrates
B) Visible visceral pleural line with absence of lung markings peripherally
C) Cardiomegaly
D) Kerley B lines
Answer: B
Explanation: A pneumothorax appears as a visceral pleural line with no lung
markings beyond it, indicating collapsed lung tissue.
Question 10. Which non-invasive monitoring device provides continuous
measurement of end-tidal CO2?
A) Pulse oximeter
