Respiratory Therapist (RRT) Practice Exam
Question And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant
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1. The primary function of surfactant in the lungs is to:
A. Increase airway resistance
B. Prevent alveolar collapse
C. Increase mucus production
D. Stimulate coughing
Answer: B
Rationale: Surfactant reduces surface tension to keep alveoli open and prevent
collapse.
2. Normal adult respiratory rate at rest is:
A. 6–10 breaths/min
B. 8–12 breaths/min
C. 12–20 breaths/min
D. 25–30 breaths/min
Rationale: Normal resting adult respiratory rate ranges from 12 to 20 breaths per
minute.
3. Which structure prevents food from entering the trachea?
A. Uvula
B. Soft palate
C. Epiglottis
D. Vocal cords
Rationale: The epiglottis covers the trachea during swallowing.
4. The normal pH range of arterial blood is:
A. 7.10–7.20
B. 7.25–7.30
C. 7.35–7.45
, D. 7.50–7.60
Rationale: Normal arterial blood pH is tightly regulated between 7.35 and 7.45.
5. Hypoxemia is defined as:
A. Low CO₂ in blood
B. High CO₂ in blood
C. Low O₂ in the blood
D. High oxygen in tissues
Rationale: Hypoxemia refers specifically to low blood oxygen levels.
6. In asthma, airflow obstruction is primarily:
A. Irreversible
B. Due to mucus only
C. Reversible
D. Caused by fluid in alveoli
Rationale: Asthma is characterized by reversible airway obstruction.
7. What does PaO₂ measure?
A. Oxygen bound to hemoglobin
B. Oxygen dissolved in plasma
C. Carbon dioxide in plasma
D. Total oxygen content
Rationale: PaO₂ reflects the amount of dissolved oxygen in arterial blood.
8. The term “apnea” means:
A. Rapid breathing
B. No breathing
C. Labored breathing
D. Shallow breathing
Rationale: Apnea is the absence of breathing.
9. Which device delivers the most precise oxygen concentration?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Simple mask
C. Nonrebreather mask
D. Venturi mask
Rationale: The Venturi mask provides the most precise FiO₂.
10. Normal PaCO₂ range is:
A. 20–30 mmHg
B. 30–35 mmHg
, C. 35–45 mmHg
D. 45–55 mmHg
Rationale: Normal arterial carbon dioxide levels are 35–45 mmHg.
11. Cyanosis becomes visible when oxygen saturation falls below approximately:
A. 95%
B. 90%
C. 85%
D. 80%
Rationale: Cyanosis is usually visible when SpO₂ falls to around 80–85%.
12. The primary respiratory muscle is the:
A. Intercostals
B. Diaphragm
C. Abdominals
D. Sternocleidomastoid
Rationale: The diaphragm is the main muscle of inspiration.
13. The most common cause of hospital-acquired pneumonia is:
A. Virus
B. Fungus
C. Bacteria
D. Parasite
Rationale: Most hospital-acquired pneumonias are bacterial.
14. Kussmaul respirations are typically seen in:
A. Asthma
B. COPD
C. Diabetic ketoacidosis
D. Congestive heart failure
Rationale: Kussmaul breathing is a deep, rapid pattern seen in metabolic acidosis such
as DKA.
15. A high PaCO₂ and low pH indicate:
A. Metabolic alkalosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Metabolic acidosis
Rationale: Elevated CO₂ with low pH reflects respiratory acidosis.
Question And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant
Download Pdf
1. The primary function of surfactant in the lungs is to:
A. Increase airway resistance
B. Prevent alveolar collapse
C. Increase mucus production
D. Stimulate coughing
Answer: B
Rationale: Surfactant reduces surface tension to keep alveoli open and prevent
collapse.
2. Normal adult respiratory rate at rest is:
A. 6–10 breaths/min
B. 8–12 breaths/min
C. 12–20 breaths/min
D. 25–30 breaths/min
Rationale: Normal resting adult respiratory rate ranges from 12 to 20 breaths per
minute.
3. Which structure prevents food from entering the trachea?
A. Uvula
B. Soft palate
C. Epiglottis
D. Vocal cords
Rationale: The epiglottis covers the trachea during swallowing.
4. The normal pH range of arterial blood is:
A. 7.10–7.20
B. 7.25–7.30
C. 7.35–7.45
, D. 7.50–7.60
Rationale: Normal arterial blood pH is tightly regulated between 7.35 and 7.45.
5. Hypoxemia is defined as:
A. Low CO₂ in blood
B. High CO₂ in blood
C. Low O₂ in the blood
D. High oxygen in tissues
Rationale: Hypoxemia refers specifically to low blood oxygen levels.
6. In asthma, airflow obstruction is primarily:
A. Irreversible
B. Due to mucus only
C. Reversible
D. Caused by fluid in alveoli
Rationale: Asthma is characterized by reversible airway obstruction.
7. What does PaO₂ measure?
A. Oxygen bound to hemoglobin
B. Oxygen dissolved in plasma
C. Carbon dioxide in plasma
D. Total oxygen content
Rationale: PaO₂ reflects the amount of dissolved oxygen in arterial blood.
8. The term “apnea” means:
A. Rapid breathing
B. No breathing
C. Labored breathing
D. Shallow breathing
Rationale: Apnea is the absence of breathing.
9. Which device delivers the most precise oxygen concentration?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Simple mask
C. Nonrebreather mask
D. Venturi mask
Rationale: The Venturi mask provides the most precise FiO₂.
10. Normal PaCO₂ range is:
A. 20–30 mmHg
B. 30–35 mmHg
, C. 35–45 mmHg
D. 45–55 mmHg
Rationale: Normal arterial carbon dioxide levels are 35–45 mmHg.
11. Cyanosis becomes visible when oxygen saturation falls below approximately:
A. 95%
B. 90%
C. 85%
D. 80%
Rationale: Cyanosis is usually visible when SpO₂ falls to around 80–85%.
12. The primary respiratory muscle is the:
A. Intercostals
B. Diaphragm
C. Abdominals
D. Sternocleidomastoid
Rationale: The diaphragm is the main muscle of inspiration.
13. The most common cause of hospital-acquired pneumonia is:
A. Virus
B. Fungus
C. Bacteria
D. Parasite
Rationale: Most hospital-acquired pneumonias are bacterial.
14. Kussmaul respirations are typically seen in:
A. Asthma
B. COPD
C. Diabetic ketoacidosis
D. Congestive heart failure
Rationale: Kussmaul breathing is a deep, rapid pattern seen in metabolic acidosis such
as DKA.
15. A high PaCO₂ and low pH indicate:
A. Metabolic alkalosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Metabolic acidosis
Rationale: Elevated CO₂ with low pH reflects respiratory acidosis.
