NBRC Respiratory Therapy Exam
Prep: 400 Practice Questions And
Answers with Rationales (2026-
2027) GRADED A+ [GOOD LUCK!!]
1. A normal adult respiratory rate is:
A. 8–10
B. 10–14
C. 12–20
D. 20–28
Answer: C
Rationale: Normal adult RR is 12–20 breaths/min.
2. Which ABG indicates respiratory acidosis?
A. pH 7.48, PaCO₂ 30
B. pH 7.32, PaCO₂ 55
C. pH 7.50, HCO₃⁻ 30
D. pH 7.40, PaCO₂ 40
Answer: B
Rationale: Low pH with elevated PaCO₂ = respiratory acidosis.
3. Pulse oximetry measures:
A. PaO₂
B. SaO₂
C. SpO₂
D. PvO₂
Answer: C
Rationale: Pulse oximeters estimate oxygen saturation
noninvasively (SpO₂).
4. A PaO₂ of 55 mmHg indicates:
A. Normal oxygenation
B. Mild hypoxemia
, C. Moderate hypoxemia
D. Severe hypoxemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Moderate hypoxemia = PaO₂ 40–59 mmHg.
5. Which lab value is most concerning in COPD?
A. PaCO₂ 48
B. HCO₃⁻ 30
C. PaO₂ 52
D. pH 7.37
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypoxemia is the primary driver of complications.
6. Which structure is responsible for preventing food from entering
the airway?
A. Trachea
B. Epiglottis
C. Bronchi
D. Larynx
Answer: B
Rationale: The epiglottis covers the airway during swallowing,
preventing aspiration.
7. What is the normal range for arterial oxygen saturation (SpO₂)?
A. 70–80%
B. 80–85%
C. 90–100%
D. 60–70%
Answer: C
Rationale: Normal oxygen saturation is typically between 90% and
100% in healthy individuals.
8. Which parameter reflects ventilation in ABG results?
A. PaO₂
B. SaO₂
C. PaCO₂
D. HCO₃⁻
Answer: C
Rationale: PaCO₂ reflects ventilation and carbon dioxide removal.
9. Which condition causes respiratory alkalosis?
A. Hypoventilation
, B. Hyperventilation
C. Kidney failure
D. Metabolic acidosis
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperventilation decreases CO₂, leading to respiratory
alkalosis.
10. Which test measures lung volumes and capacities?
A. Chest X-ray
B. Spirometry
C. ECG
D. MRI
Answer: B
Rationale: Spirometry measures airflow and lung volumes.
Oxygen Therapy & Aerosol Devices
11. A nasal cannula at 2 L/min delivers approximately:
A. 24%
B. 28%
C. 32%
D. 36%
Answer: B
Rationale: Each L/min ≈ +4% starting at 24%.
12. Best device for precise FiO₂ delivery:
A. Nasal cannula
B. Simple mask
C. Venturi mask
D. Nonrebreather
Answer: C
Rationale: Venturi provides fixed FiO₂.
13. Minimum flow for a simple mask:
A. 2 L/min
B. 4 L/min
C. 6 L/min
D. 10 L/min
, Answer: C
Rationale: Prevents CO₂ rebreathing.
14. Which device delivers the highest concentration of oxygen?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Venturi mask
C. Non-rebreather mask
D. Simple mask
Answer: C
Rationale: A non-rebreather mask can deliver up to 95–100%
oxygen when properly fitted.
15. Heated humidification is required when:
A. FiO₂ > 24%
B. Flow > 4 L/min
C. Bypassing upper airway
D. Using nasal cannula
Answer: C
Rationale: Artificial airways bypass natural humidification.
16. Jet nebulizers require:
A. Electricity
B. Ultrasonic waves
C. Compressed gas
D. Heat
Answer: C
Rationale: Jet nebulizers use compressed gas.
17. Best device for bronchospasm in an acute asthma attack:
A. DPI
B. SVN
C. MDI with spacer
D. Dry oxygen
Answer: B
Rationale: SVN effective for severe distress.
18. Metered-dose inhalers should be shaken to:
A. Warm medication
B. Mix propellant
C. Increase dose
D. Reduce pressure
Prep: 400 Practice Questions And
Answers with Rationales (2026-
2027) GRADED A+ [GOOD LUCK!!]
1. A normal adult respiratory rate is:
A. 8–10
B. 10–14
C. 12–20
D. 20–28
Answer: C
Rationale: Normal adult RR is 12–20 breaths/min.
2. Which ABG indicates respiratory acidosis?
A. pH 7.48, PaCO₂ 30
B. pH 7.32, PaCO₂ 55
C. pH 7.50, HCO₃⁻ 30
D. pH 7.40, PaCO₂ 40
Answer: B
Rationale: Low pH with elevated PaCO₂ = respiratory acidosis.
3. Pulse oximetry measures:
A. PaO₂
B. SaO₂
C. SpO₂
D. PvO₂
Answer: C
Rationale: Pulse oximeters estimate oxygen saturation
noninvasively (SpO₂).
4. A PaO₂ of 55 mmHg indicates:
A. Normal oxygenation
B. Mild hypoxemia
, C. Moderate hypoxemia
D. Severe hypoxemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Moderate hypoxemia = PaO₂ 40–59 mmHg.
5. Which lab value is most concerning in COPD?
A. PaCO₂ 48
B. HCO₃⁻ 30
C. PaO₂ 52
D. pH 7.37
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypoxemia is the primary driver of complications.
6. Which structure is responsible for preventing food from entering
the airway?
A. Trachea
B. Epiglottis
C. Bronchi
D. Larynx
Answer: B
Rationale: The epiglottis covers the airway during swallowing,
preventing aspiration.
7. What is the normal range for arterial oxygen saturation (SpO₂)?
A. 70–80%
B. 80–85%
C. 90–100%
D. 60–70%
Answer: C
Rationale: Normal oxygen saturation is typically between 90% and
100% in healthy individuals.
8. Which parameter reflects ventilation in ABG results?
A. PaO₂
B. SaO₂
C. PaCO₂
D. HCO₃⁻
Answer: C
Rationale: PaCO₂ reflects ventilation and carbon dioxide removal.
9. Which condition causes respiratory alkalosis?
A. Hypoventilation
, B. Hyperventilation
C. Kidney failure
D. Metabolic acidosis
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperventilation decreases CO₂, leading to respiratory
alkalosis.
10. Which test measures lung volumes and capacities?
A. Chest X-ray
B. Spirometry
C. ECG
D. MRI
Answer: B
Rationale: Spirometry measures airflow and lung volumes.
Oxygen Therapy & Aerosol Devices
11. A nasal cannula at 2 L/min delivers approximately:
A. 24%
B. 28%
C. 32%
D. 36%
Answer: B
Rationale: Each L/min ≈ +4% starting at 24%.
12. Best device for precise FiO₂ delivery:
A. Nasal cannula
B. Simple mask
C. Venturi mask
D. Nonrebreather
Answer: C
Rationale: Venturi provides fixed FiO₂.
13. Minimum flow for a simple mask:
A. 2 L/min
B. 4 L/min
C. 6 L/min
D. 10 L/min
, Answer: C
Rationale: Prevents CO₂ rebreathing.
14. Which device delivers the highest concentration of oxygen?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Venturi mask
C. Non-rebreather mask
D. Simple mask
Answer: C
Rationale: A non-rebreather mask can deliver up to 95–100%
oxygen when properly fitted.
15. Heated humidification is required when:
A. FiO₂ > 24%
B. Flow > 4 L/min
C. Bypassing upper airway
D. Using nasal cannula
Answer: C
Rationale: Artificial airways bypass natural humidification.
16. Jet nebulizers require:
A. Electricity
B. Ultrasonic waves
C. Compressed gas
D. Heat
Answer: C
Rationale: Jet nebulizers use compressed gas.
17. Best device for bronchospasm in an acute asthma attack:
A. DPI
B. SVN
C. MDI with spacer
D. Dry oxygen
Answer: B
Rationale: SVN effective for severe distress.
18. Metered-dose inhalers should be shaken to:
A. Warm medication
B. Mix propellant
C. Increase dose
D. Reduce pressure
