QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS
Which of the following conditions would benefit most from cardioversion?
a. Ventricular tachycardia with a pulse
b. Frequent PVCs
c. Asystole
d. Ventricular fibrillation -- ANSWER--a. Ventricular tachycardia with a
pulse
Which of the following is the best indicator of the adequacy of alveolar
ventilation?
a. Tidal volume
b. Color
c. Respiratory rate
d. PaCO2 from an arterial blood gas analysis -- ANSWER--d. PaCO2 from
an arterial blood gas analysis
A patient with a history of chronic bronchitis is post-operative for an
exploratory laparotomy. Review of the medical record suggests the physician
Page 1 of 58
,has concern about difficulty clearing secretions after the procedure. To assist the
patient with mobilization and removal of secretions, the respiratory therapist
should recommend
a. MDI therapy with an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid
b. Administer tetracycline
c. Administer cromolyn sodium
d. Instruction on deep breathing and coughing techniques -- ANSWER--d.
Instruction on deep breathing and coughing techniques
Which of the following conditions would be a contraindication for IPPB?
a. Untreated pneumothorax
b. Pulmonary edema
c. A patient requiring bronchodilation AND lung expansion
d. Fractured ribs -- ANSWER--a. Untreated pneumothorax
A 48-year-old patient has just been orally intubated prior to being placed on
volumecontrolled ventilation. The respiratory therapist should do which of the
following to best confirm proper placement of the endotracheal tube?
a. Auscultate breath sounds
b. Assess chest rise symmetry
c. Examine tube markings near the lips
d. Obtain a chest radiograph -- ANSWER--d. Obtain a chest radiograph
Page 2 of 58
,After 20 minutes into a spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) a mechanically
ventilated female patient becomes anxious. Her baseline heart rate has increased
by 20 /min. What should the respiratory therapist do?
a. Calculate the RSBI
b. Increase the FiO2 and continue to monitor
c. Measure MIP
d. Return to full mechanical ventilation -- ANSWER--d. Return to full
mechanical ventilation
What is needed to determine arterial oxygen content?
a. PvO2
b. Hemoglobin level
c. Oxygen index
d. P/F ratio -- ANSWER--b. Hemoglobin level
A patient presents to the emergency room with fulminating pulmonary edema.
Which of the following would be experienced with this emergency?
a. Hypovolemia
b. A good response to supplemental O2
c. Elevated left ventricular filling pressure with low QT
d. CVP 10 torr and PAP 10 torr -- ANSWER--c. Elevated left ventricular
filling pressure with low QT
Page 3 of 58
, Which of the following conditions would benefit most from a thoracentesis? a.
Pericardial contusion
b. Atelectasis
c. Complete opacification of the right lung
d. Small pneumothorax -- ANSWER--d. Small pneumothorax
The respiratory therapist has an order to cap a patient with a fenestrated
tracheostomy tube in preparation for speech therapy. Prior to applying the cap
on the end of the tube, the therapist should also ensure
a. The inner cannula is removed and the cuff inflated
b. The inner cannula is removed and the cuff deflated
c. The inner cannula is in place and the cuff deflated
d. The inner cannula is in placed and the cuff inflated -- ANSWER--b. The
inner cannula is removed and the cuff deflated
A 75-kg (165-lbs) male is in acute ventilatory failure. In preparation for
mechanical ventilatory support, the patient is to be orally intubated. Which of
the following artificial airways would be most appropriate for this patient?
a. Size 7.0 mm ET tube with a large volume, low pressure cuff
b. Size 7.5 mm fenestrated tracheostomy tube
c. Size 8.0 mm ET tube with a small volume, high pressure cuff
d. Jackson tracheostomy tube -- ANSWER--a. Size 7.0 mm ET tube with a
large volume, low pressure cuff
Page 4 of 58