RESPIRATORY CARE EXAM REVIEW ANSWERS | PRACTICE QUESTIONS & DETAILED ANSWERS |
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027
A patient is receiving O2 from an E-Cylinder at 4 L/min through a nasal cannula. The cylinder
pressure is 1900 psig. How long will the cylinder run until it is empty?
a. 47 mins
b. 1.7 h
c. 2.2 h
d. 3.6 h - correct answer ✔✔c. 2.2 h
After the respiratory therapist sets up a nonrebreathing mask on a patient at a flow of 10 L/min,
the reservoir bag collapses before the patient finishes inspiring. The respiratory therapist should
do which of the following?
a. Change to a simple O2 mask at a flow rate of 10 L/min
b. Remove the one way valve from the exhalation port
c. Place the patient on continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
d. Increase the flowrate to 15 L/min - correct answer ✔✔d. Increase the flowrate to 15 L/min
A patient with carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning can best be treated with which of the following
therapies?
a. nasal cannula at 6 L/min
b. Simple O2 mask at 10 L/min
c. CPAP and 60% O2
d. Nonrebreathing mask - correct answer ✔✔d. Nonrebreathing mask
The following blood gas levels have been obtained from a patient using a 60% aerosol mask
pH: 7.47
PaCO2: 31 mmHg
, PaO2: 58 mmHg
What should the respiratory therapist recommend at this time?
a. Place the patient on CPAP
b. Increase the O2 to 70%
c. Intubate and place the patient on mechanical ventilation
d. Change to a nonrebreather mask - correct answer ✔✔a. Place the patient on CPAP
Given the following data, what is the patients total arterial O2 content?
pH: 7.41
PaCO2: 37 mmHg
PaO2: 88 mmHg
HCO3-: 36 mEq/L
SaO2: 95%
Hb: 14 g/dl
a. 12 ml/dl
b. 14 ml/dl
c. 16 ml/dl
d. 18 ml/dl - correct answer ✔✔d. 18 ml/dl
The respiratory therapist receives an order to set up a moderate level of O2 on a patient who
arrives in the ED breathing at a rate of 35 br/min. Which of the following O2 delivery devices is
most appropriate to use in this situation?
a. Simple O2 mask at 10 L/min
b. Nasal cannula at 4 L/min
c. Nonrebreathing mask at 15 L/min
d. Air-entrainment mask at 40% O2 - correct answer ✔✔d. Air-entrainment mask at 40% O2
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027
A patient is receiving O2 from an E-Cylinder at 4 L/min through a nasal cannula. The cylinder
pressure is 1900 psig. How long will the cylinder run until it is empty?
a. 47 mins
b. 1.7 h
c. 2.2 h
d. 3.6 h - correct answer ✔✔c. 2.2 h
After the respiratory therapist sets up a nonrebreathing mask on a patient at a flow of 10 L/min,
the reservoir bag collapses before the patient finishes inspiring. The respiratory therapist should
do which of the following?
a. Change to a simple O2 mask at a flow rate of 10 L/min
b. Remove the one way valve from the exhalation port
c. Place the patient on continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
d. Increase the flowrate to 15 L/min - correct answer ✔✔d. Increase the flowrate to 15 L/min
A patient with carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning can best be treated with which of the following
therapies?
a. nasal cannula at 6 L/min
b. Simple O2 mask at 10 L/min
c. CPAP and 60% O2
d. Nonrebreathing mask - correct answer ✔✔d. Nonrebreathing mask
The following blood gas levels have been obtained from a patient using a 60% aerosol mask
pH: 7.47
PaCO2: 31 mmHg
, PaO2: 58 mmHg
What should the respiratory therapist recommend at this time?
a. Place the patient on CPAP
b. Increase the O2 to 70%
c. Intubate and place the patient on mechanical ventilation
d. Change to a nonrebreather mask - correct answer ✔✔a. Place the patient on CPAP
Given the following data, what is the patients total arterial O2 content?
pH: 7.41
PaCO2: 37 mmHg
PaO2: 88 mmHg
HCO3-: 36 mEq/L
SaO2: 95%
Hb: 14 g/dl
a. 12 ml/dl
b. 14 ml/dl
c. 16 ml/dl
d. 18 ml/dl - correct answer ✔✔d. 18 ml/dl
The respiratory therapist receives an order to set up a moderate level of O2 on a patient who
arrives in the ED breathing at a rate of 35 br/min. Which of the following O2 delivery devices is
most appropriate to use in this situation?
a. Simple O2 mask at 10 L/min
b. Nasal cannula at 4 L/min
c. Nonrebreathing mask at 15 L/min
d. Air-entrainment mask at 40% O2 - correct answer ✔✔d. Air-entrainment mask at 40% O2
