NBRC TMC EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
Which of the following is needed to calculate alveolar oxygen
tension?
A. VD/VT, PAO2
B. BP and FiO2
C. PetCO2 and PaO2
D. QS/QT, deadspace Correct Answer B.
Barometric pressure, FiO2, and PaO2 are all included in the
formula (BP stands for barometric pressure)
L/min/m2 is the unit of measure for:
A. Systemic vascular resistance
B. Cardiac output
C. Cardiac index
D. Stroke volume Correct Answer C.
A spontaneously breathing patient has the following arterial
blood gas results:
pH 7.38 PaCO2 42 mmHgPaO2 76 mmHgHCO3- 24 mEq/LBE
0 mEq/L
,Which of the following supplemental oxygen levels is most
appropriate?
A. 2 L/min nasal cannula
B. 5 L/min nasal cannula
C. non-rebreathing mask
D. Venturi mask at 30% Correct Answer B.
A patient who is showing signs of hypoxemia should receive
supplemental oxygen. If the patient is not a COPD patient
and the situation is not an emergency, then the proper
supplemental oxygen is an adult therapeutic dose, which is
40% to 55%. Of the options available only 5 L/min nasal
cannula will approach this. Other options are either
insufficient or too much.
Left heart failure would be manifested in which of the following
values?
A. CVP and mPAP
B. mPAP and wedge pressure
C. MAP and SVR
D. cardiac output and wedge pressure Correct Answer D.
The function of the left heart, specifically the left ventricle, is
best assessed hemodynamically by looking at those values
that precede and come after the left heart. In this case
pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and cardiac output (or
cardiac index) are the values found before and after the left
heart.
,Which of the following findings is most closely associated with
increased airway resistance?
A. reduced SpO2
B. accessory muscle use
C. altered P50
D. increased PetCO2 Correct Answer B.
Of the options given, use of accessory muscles is most
closely associated with an increase in airway resistance.
This is especially true with patients who have asthma or
other types of upper airway inflammation or
bronchoconstriction.
For a patient receiving volume-controlled mechanical ventilation,
the lower inflection point on a pressure-volume loop can best be
described as:
A. amount of pressure required to keep the alveoli and small
airways open
B. optimal PEEP
C. minimal PEEP
D. upper limit of residual volume Correct Answer A.
The lowest inflection point on a pressure-volume ventilator
graphic is an indication of the minimum pressure needed to
keep alveoli open.
, The results of a V/Q scan shows poor perfusion with adequate
ventilation. A chest radiograph shows a wedge-shaped infiltrate
over the right lung field. The patient most likely has
A. fluid overload
B. ARDS
C. a pulmonary embolism
D. pneumonia Correct Answer C.
A VQ scan that shows poor perfusion but adequate
ventilation is most closely associated with a pulmonary
embolism. Supportive data is found in the radiological report
of wedge-shaped infiltrates.
The respiratory therapist notes in the medical record of a 65-year-
old male that the patient is ordered to receive bronchodilator
therapy with Albuterol. The therapist also notes the patient is
receiving beta-blocker medication. The therapist should
recommend
A. Administer Dexamethasone (Decadron) in place of Albuterol
B. Add Xopenex to the bronchodilator regimen
C. Replace Albuterol with Beclamethasone (Beclovent)
D. Switch from Albuterol to ipratropium bromide (Atrovent)
Correct Answer D.
Because albuterol is a beta-agonist medication, patients who are
taking beta-blockers should utilize other bronchodilation
medication.
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
Which of the following is needed to calculate alveolar oxygen
tension?
A. VD/VT, PAO2
B. BP and FiO2
C. PetCO2 and PaO2
D. QS/QT, deadspace Correct Answer B.
Barometric pressure, FiO2, and PaO2 are all included in the
formula (BP stands for barometric pressure)
L/min/m2 is the unit of measure for:
A. Systemic vascular resistance
B. Cardiac output
C. Cardiac index
D. Stroke volume Correct Answer C.
A spontaneously breathing patient has the following arterial
blood gas results:
pH 7.38 PaCO2 42 mmHgPaO2 76 mmHgHCO3- 24 mEq/LBE
0 mEq/L
,Which of the following supplemental oxygen levels is most
appropriate?
A. 2 L/min nasal cannula
B. 5 L/min nasal cannula
C. non-rebreathing mask
D. Venturi mask at 30% Correct Answer B.
A patient who is showing signs of hypoxemia should receive
supplemental oxygen. If the patient is not a COPD patient
and the situation is not an emergency, then the proper
supplemental oxygen is an adult therapeutic dose, which is
40% to 55%. Of the options available only 5 L/min nasal
cannula will approach this. Other options are either
insufficient or too much.
Left heart failure would be manifested in which of the following
values?
A. CVP and mPAP
B. mPAP and wedge pressure
C. MAP and SVR
D. cardiac output and wedge pressure Correct Answer D.
The function of the left heart, specifically the left ventricle, is
best assessed hemodynamically by looking at those values
that precede and come after the left heart. In this case
pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and cardiac output (or
cardiac index) are the values found before and after the left
heart.
,Which of the following findings is most closely associated with
increased airway resistance?
A. reduced SpO2
B. accessory muscle use
C. altered P50
D. increased PetCO2 Correct Answer B.
Of the options given, use of accessory muscles is most
closely associated with an increase in airway resistance.
This is especially true with patients who have asthma or
other types of upper airway inflammation or
bronchoconstriction.
For a patient receiving volume-controlled mechanical ventilation,
the lower inflection point on a pressure-volume loop can best be
described as:
A. amount of pressure required to keep the alveoli and small
airways open
B. optimal PEEP
C. minimal PEEP
D. upper limit of residual volume Correct Answer A.
The lowest inflection point on a pressure-volume ventilator
graphic is an indication of the minimum pressure needed to
keep alveoli open.
, The results of a V/Q scan shows poor perfusion with adequate
ventilation. A chest radiograph shows a wedge-shaped infiltrate
over the right lung field. The patient most likely has
A. fluid overload
B. ARDS
C. a pulmonary embolism
D. pneumonia Correct Answer C.
A VQ scan that shows poor perfusion but adequate
ventilation is most closely associated with a pulmonary
embolism. Supportive data is found in the radiological report
of wedge-shaped infiltrates.
The respiratory therapist notes in the medical record of a 65-year-
old male that the patient is ordered to receive bronchodilator
therapy with Albuterol. The therapist also notes the patient is
receiving beta-blocker medication. The therapist should
recommend
A. Administer Dexamethasone (Decadron) in place of Albuterol
B. Add Xopenex to the bronchodilator regimen
C. Replace Albuterol with Beclamethasone (Beclovent)
D. Switch from Albuterol to ipratropium bromide (Atrovent)
Correct Answer D.
Because albuterol is a beta-agonist medication, patients who are
taking beta-blockers should utilize other bronchodilation
medication.
