RESPIRATORY THERAPIST
CERTIFICATION EXAM (NBRC) PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which of the following is the primary muscle of inspiration?
A. External oblique
B. Internal intercostals
C. Diaphragm
D. Rectus abdominis
The diaphragm is the main muscle responsible for inspiration,
contracting to increase thoracic volume.
2. A patient with COPD has a PaO2 of 55 mmHg on room air. What is
the primary oxygen therapy goal?
A. PaO2 > 70 mmHg
B. PaO2 60–65 mmHg
C. PaCO2 < 35 mmHg
D. Oxygen saturation 100%
In COPD, oxygen therapy aims to maintain PaO2 between 60–65 mmHg
to prevent hypoxemia while avoiding CO2 retention.
3. Which of the following is the most effective method to prevent
ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP)?
A. Sedation holidays
B. Elevate head of bed 30–45°
,C. Increase tidal volume
D. Frequent suctioning
Elevating the head of the bed reduces aspiration risk, which is the main
cause of VAP.
4. What is the normal tidal volume for an adult on mechanical
ventilation?
A. 2–4 mL/kg
B. 6–8 mL/kg
C. 10–12 mL/kg
D. 12–15 mL/kg
Tidal volume is calculated based on ideal body weight, usually 6–8
mL/kg to minimize ventilator-induced lung injury.
5. Which ventilator mode allows spontaneous breaths with pressure
support but no mandatory breaths?
A. Assist-control (AC)
B. SIMV
C. CPAP
D. BiPAP
CPAP provides continuous positive airway pressure during spontaneous
breathing without mandatory breaths.
6. What is the target PaCO2 in acute ventilatory failure for an adult?
A. 20–30 mmHg
B. 35–45 mmHg
C. 50–60 mmHg
D. 60–70 mmHg
Normal PaCO2 ranges from 35–45 mmHg; the goal is to maintain
adequate ventilation.
7. Which of the following drugs is a short-acting beta-2 agonist?
A. Salmeterol
, B. Albuterol
C. Ipratropium
D. Theophylline
Albuterol is a short-acting bronchodilator used for acute bronchospasm.
8. What is the most appropriate initial management for a patient with
acute asthma exacerbation?
A. Oral steroids
B. Inhaled short-acting beta-2 agonist
C. Oxygen only
D. Long-acting beta-2 agonist
Inhaled SABA is first-line therapy for acute bronchospasm due to rapid
onset.
9. Which arterial blood gas result indicates uncompensated
respiratory acidosis?
A. pH 7.50, PaCO2 30 mmHg
B. pH 7.38, PaCO2 40 mmHg
C. pH 7.25, PaCO2 55 mmHg
D. pH 7.45, PaCO2 35 mmHg
Respiratory acidosis is low pH with elevated PaCO2; uncompensated
means HCO3 is normal.
10. In the management of ARDS, which ventilator strategy is
recommended?
A. High tidal volume, low PEEP
B. Low tidal volume, high PEEP
C. Low tidal volume, low PEEP
D. High tidal volume, high PEEP
Low tidal volumes (6 mL/kg) with appropriate PEEP minimize ventilator-
induced lung injury.
CERTIFICATION EXAM (NBRC) PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which of the following is the primary muscle of inspiration?
A. External oblique
B. Internal intercostals
C. Diaphragm
D. Rectus abdominis
The diaphragm is the main muscle responsible for inspiration,
contracting to increase thoracic volume.
2. A patient with COPD has a PaO2 of 55 mmHg on room air. What is
the primary oxygen therapy goal?
A. PaO2 > 70 mmHg
B. PaO2 60–65 mmHg
C. PaCO2 < 35 mmHg
D. Oxygen saturation 100%
In COPD, oxygen therapy aims to maintain PaO2 between 60–65 mmHg
to prevent hypoxemia while avoiding CO2 retention.
3. Which of the following is the most effective method to prevent
ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP)?
A. Sedation holidays
B. Elevate head of bed 30–45°
,C. Increase tidal volume
D. Frequent suctioning
Elevating the head of the bed reduces aspiration risk, which is the main
cause of VAP.
4. What is the normal tidal volume for an adult on mechanical
ventilation?
A. 2–4 mL/kg
B. 6–8 mL/kg
C. 10–12 mL/kg
D. 12–15 mL/kg
Tidal volume is calculated based on ideal body weight, usually 6–8
mL/kg to minimize ventilator-induced lung injury.
5. Which ventilator mode allows spontaneous breaths with pressure
support but no mandatory breaths?
A. Assist-control (AC)
B. SIMV
C. CPAP
D. BiPAP
CPAP provides continuous positive airway pressure during spontaneous
breathing without mandatory breaths.
6. What is the target PaCO2 in acute ventilatory failure for an adult?
A. 20–30 mmHg
B. 35–45 mmHg
C. 50–60 mmHg
D. 60–70 mmHg
Normal PaCO2 ranges from 35–45 mmHg; the goal is to maintain
adequate ventilation.
7. Which of the following drugs is a short-acting beta-2 agonist?
A. Salmeterol
, B. Albuterol
C. Ipratropium
D. Theophylline
Albuterol is a short-acting bronchodilator used for acute bronchospasm.
8. What is the most appropriate initial management for a patient with
acute asthma exacerbation?
A. Oral steroids
B. Inhaled short-acting beta-2 agonist
C. Oxygen only
D. Long-acting beta-2 agonist
Inhaled SABA is first-line therapy for acute bronchospasm due to rapid
onset.
9. Which arterial blood gas result indicates uncompensated
respiratory acidosis?
A. pH 7.50, PaCO2 30 mmHg
B. pH 7.38, PaCO2 40 mmHg
C. pH 7.25, PaCO2 55 mmHg
D. pH 7.45, PaCO2 35 mmHg
Respiratory acidosis is low pH with elevated PaCO2; uncompensated
means HCO3 is normal.
10. In the management of ARDS, which ventilator strategy is
recommended?
A. High tidal volume, low PEEP
B. Low tidal volume, high PEEP
C. Low tidal volume, low PEEP
D. High tidal volume, high PEEP
Low tidal volumes (6 mL/kg) with appropriate PEEP minimize ventilator-
induced lung injury.
