THERAPIST MULTIPLE-CHOICE SAE EXAM
LATEST UPDATE WITH QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2025/2026 LATEST
Which of the following is the most significant factor leading to the development
of tracheomalacia?
A. cuff pressure
B. trauma during intubation
C. intracuff volume
D. tube length
cuff pressure
- excessive cuff pressure will obstruct mucosal blood flow to the tracheal wall.
The resulting ischemia weakens the tracheal wall and tracheomalacia develops
- tracheal trauma can result in scar formation and stenosis, but not
tracheomalacia
Which of the following should a respiratory therapist recommend to aid in
secretion removal for a patient with COPD who has a strong cough?
Page 1 of 27
,A. incentive spirometry
B. abdominal thrust
C. insufflation-exsufflation device
D. vibratory PEP
vibratory PEP aids in secretion removal
- IS would be an unnecessary use of an appliance since the patient has an
adequate cough
A respiratory therapist is caring for a 185-cm (6-ft 1-in), 85-kg (187-lb) male
patient with ARDS who is receiving VC, A/C ventilation. The following data
are observed:
FIO2 0.80Mandatory rate 12VT 600 mLInspiratory time 1.0 secPEEP 14 cm
H2OPIP 40 cm H2OPplat 34 cm H2O
An ABG analysis shows:
pH 7.37PCO2 43 mm HgPO2 62 mm HgHCO3- 25 mEq/LBE -1 mEq/LSO2
(calc) 92%
According to ARDSnet, the therapist should
Page 2 of 27
, A. increase the FIO2.
B. decrease PEEP.
C. increase the inspiratory time.
D. decrease the tidal volume.
decrease the tidal volume
- given a plateau pressure of greater than 30 cm H2O, the next step in the
ARDSnet protocol is to decrease the tidal volume in 1 mL/kg PBW increments
(to a minimum of 4 mL/kg of PBW) until plateau pressure is less than 30 cm
H2O
- increasing the FIO2 is not necessary here since the PaO2 is within the target
range of 55-80 mm Hg
While reviewing a medical record, a respiratory therapist notes a patient has
shortness of breath, pleuritic chest pain, low-grade fever, tachypnea,
tachycardia, and a swollen, tender right leg. The patient has a 50 pack-year
history of smoking and known coronary artery disease. These findings are
MOST consistent with
A. pneumonia.
B. pulmonary embolism.
Page 3 of 27
LATEST UPDATE WITH QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2025/2026 LATEST
Which of the following is the most significant factor leading to the development
of tracheomalacia?
A. cuff pressure
B. trauma during intubation
C. intracuff volume
D. tube length
cuff pressure
- excessive cuff pressure will obstruct mucosal blood flow to the tracheal wall.
The resulting ischemia weakens the tracheal wall and tracheomalacia develops
- tracheal trauma can result in scar formation and stenosis, but not
tracheomalacia
Which of the following should a respiratory therapist recommend to aid in
secretion removal for a patient with COPD who has a strong cough?
Page 1 of 27
,A. incentive spirometry
B. abdominal thrust
C. insufflation-exsufflation device
D. vibratory PEP
vibratory PEP aids in secretion removal
- IS would be an unnecessary use of an appliance since the patient has an
adequate cough
A respiratory therapist is caring for a 185-cm (6-ft 1-in), 85-kg (187-lb) male
patient with ARDS who is receiving VC, A/C ventilation. The following data
are observed:
FIO2 0.80Mandatory rate 12VT 600 mLInspiratory time 1.0 secPEEP 14 cm
H2OPIP 40 cm H2OPplat 34 cm H2O
An ABG analysis shows:
pH 7.37PCO2 43 mm HgPO2 62 mm HgHCO3- 25 mEq/LBE -1 mEq/LSO2
(calc) 92%
According to ARDSnet, the therapist should
Page 2 of 27
, A. increase the FIO2.
B. decrease PEEP.
C. increase the inspiratory time.
D. decrease the tidal volume.
decrease the tidal volume
- given a plateau pressure of greater than 30 cm H2O, the next step in the
ARDSnet protocol is to decrease the tidal volume in 1 mL/kg PBW increments
(to a minimum of 4 mL/kg of PBW) until plateau pressure is less than 30 cm
H2O
- increasing the FIO2 is not necessary here since the PaO2 is within the target
range of 55-80 mm Hg
While reviewing a medical record, a respiratory therapist notes a patient has
shortness of breath, pleuritic chest pain, low-grade fever, tachypnea,
tachycardia, and a swollen, tender right leg. The patient has a 50 pack-year
history of smoking and known coronary artery disease. These findings are
MOST consistent with
A. pneumonia.
B. pulmonary embolism.
Page 3 of 27
