TMC study guide NBRC Questions with
complete solution 2026/2027
A patient's sputum is purulent, green in appearance, has separated into layers, and has a foul odor.
What is the most likely cause?
A. Aspiration
B. Tuberculosis
C. Emphysema
D. Bronchiectasis - correct answer D. Bronchiectasis
A patient in the ICU complains of light headedness, nausea, and chest pains. The patient is diaphoretic
and has a blood pressure of 90/60mmHg. What should the RT recommend?
A. Lidocaine HCl
B. Cardioversion
C. Defibrillation
D. Epinephrine - correct answer B. Cardioversion
A patient with Guillain-Barre syndrome has a vital capacity of 625mL. An RT should recommend which of
the following be performed FIRST?
A. MIP evaluation
B. Edrophonium Chloride (Tensilon) test
C. MVV test
D. EMG and nerve conduction study - correct answer A. MIP
Which of the following beside pulmonary function testing results for a patient with multiple sclerosis
most strongly indicates the need for ventilatory assistance?
A. 5% decrease in peak expiratory flow
,B. FEV1/FVC 85%
C. MIP of -23cmH2O
D. Vital Capacity of 5 mL/kg - correct answer D. Vital capacity of 5mL/kg
A 23-year-old patient is in moderate respiratory distress while receiving oxygen.
ABG=7.42/ 31/ 38/ 20/ -3/ 71%
How should these results be interpreted? - correct answer Chronic Respiratory Alkalosis with severe
hypoxemia
What is the patient's TLC?
Vital Capacity= 3.6L
FRC= 6.0 L
ERV = 1.0 - correct answer 8.6
A COPD patient becomes hypotensive following a drug overdose. Following intubation VC A/C
ventilation should be initiated with which of the following oxygen concentrations?
A. 0.21
B. 0.50
C. 0.70
D. 1.0 - correct answer D. 1.0
A patient has been receiving VC ventilation for 24 hours. A respiratory therapist is called to the bedside
because the high pressure alarm is sounding with each breath. What should the RT do first? - correct
answer Manually ventilate the patient
,Just prior to removing the endotracheal tube, a respiratory therapist should do what? - correct answer
Deflate the cuff
While preparing to assist with a chest tube insertion , an RT learns that pleurodesis will follow. What
equipment would the RT provide? - correct answer Hemostat and 3-way stopcock
What is the formula for dynamic compliance? - correct answer VT/ (PIP-PEEP)
A 52-year-old patient with newly diagnosed OSA undergoes a CPAP titration study. With a CPAP of 12cm
H2O, the AHI is 3 and the lowest observed oxygen saturation is 90%. The patient continues to snore,
what should the RT do? - correct answer Increase the CPAP level
What is the target FiO2 range of nasal cannula in a patient with normal minute ventilation? - correct
answer 0.24-0.40
An RT is called to the ED to assist with the intubation of an alert, agitated patient in respiratory failure. 2
intubation attempts were unsuccessful. In addition to a neuromuscular blockade, which of the following
drugs will best facilitate intubation?
A. Propranolol HCl (Inderal)
B. Midazolam HCl (Versed)
C. Amlodipine (Norvasc)
D. Nitroprusside Sodium - correct answer B. Midazolam HCl (Versed)
A 14 year old male who is 163cm /5ft4in tall and weighs 51kg/112lbs is brought to the ED for suspected
drug overdose. He is intubated receiving VC AC ventilation.
Mandatory Rate: 14
Tidal Volume: 300mL
Inspiratory Flow: 20L/min
, Pressure limit: 50cm H2O
The physician wants the RT to adjust the I:E from 1:1.2 to 1:3
What should the RT increase? - correct answer The inspiratory flow
A 180-cm (5ft 11in) 75kg (165lb) male had a cardiac arrest and is admitted to the ICU. The patient is
apneic, receiving 100% O2 by a bag valve mask resuscitator, and has an SpO2 of 94%. Which is the most
appropriate ventilator setting?
1. SIMV/FiO2 1.0/Rate 10/VT 400/PEEP +3
2. SIMV/FiO2 0.40/Rate 12/VT 750/PEEP +5
3. AC/ FiO2 1.0/Rate 12/VT 600/PEEP +5
4. AC/FiO2 0.40/Rate 10/VT 550/PEEP +3 - correct answer 3. AC/ FiO2 1.0/Rate 12/VT 600/PEEP +5
While instructing a 9-year-old with pneumonia in use of PEP therapy device a respiratory therapist
observes the child is consistently unable to keep the seal around the mouthpiece. What should the RT
recommend? - correct answer Select a mask rather than a mouthpiece
What can be used to confirm the correct endotracheal tube position? - correct answer CXR
Lung fields appear whiter on a chest radiograph when the imaging technique is ____________ - correct
answer Underexposed
A 71-year-old man who has a femur fracture had a chest CT angiogram due to increased shortness of
breath. An RT observes multiple pulmonary arterial thrombi. SpO2 is 94% while receiving oxygen at
2L/min by nasal cannula. What should the RT recommend? - correct answer Intravenous heparin
complete solution 2026/2027
A patient's sputum is purulent, green in appearance, has separated into layers, and has a foul odor.
What is the most likely cause?
A. Aspiration
B. Tuberculosis
C. Emphysema
D. Bronchiectasis - correct answer D. Bronchiectasis
A patient in the ICU complains of light headedness, nausea, and chest pains. The patient is diaphoretic
and has a blood pressure of 90/60mmHg. What should the RT recommend?
A. Lidocaine HCl
B. Cardioversion
C. Defibrillation
D. Epinephrine - correct answer B. Cardioversion
A patient with Guillain-Barre syndrome has a vital capacity of 625mL. An RT should recommend which of
the following be performed FIRST?
A. MIP evaluation
B. Edrophonium Chloride (Tensilon) test
C. MVV test
D. EMG and nerve conduction study - correct answer A. MIP
Which of the following beside pulmonary function testing results for a patient with multiple sclerosis
most strongly indicates the need for ventilatory assistance?
A. 5% decrease in peak expiratory flow
,B. FEV1/FVC 85%
C. MIP of -23cmH2O
D. Vital Capacity of 5 mL/kg - correct answer D. Vital capacity of 5mL/kg
A 23-year-old patient is in moderate respiratory distress while receiving oxygen.
ABG=7.42/ 31/ 38/ 20/ -3/ 71%
How should these results be interpreted? - correct answer Chronic Respiratory Alkalosis with severe
hypoxemia
What is the patient's TLC?
Vital Capacity= 3.6L
FRC= 6.0 L
ERV = 1.0 - correct answer 8.6
A COPD patient becomes hypotensive following a drug overdose. Following intubation VC A/C
ventilation should be initiated with which of the following oxygen concentrations?
A. 0.21
B. 0.50
C. 0.70
D. 1.0 - correct answer D. 1.0
A patient has been receiving VC ventilation for 24 hours. A respiratory therapist is called to the bedside
because the high pressure alarm is sounding with each breath. What should the RT do first? - correct
answer Manually ventilate the patient
,Just prior to removing the endotracheal tube, a respiratory therapist should do what? - correct answer
Deflate the cuff
While preparing to assist with a chest tube insertion , an RT learns that pleurodesis will follow. What
equipment would the RT provide? - correct answer Hemostat and 3-way stopcock
What is the formula for dynamic compliance? - correct answer VT/ (PIP-PEEP)
A 52-year-old patient with newly diagnosed OSA undergoes a CPAP titration study. With a CPAP of 12cm
H2O, the AHI is 3 and the lowest observed oxygen saturation is 90%. The patient continues to snore,
what should the RT do? - correct answer Increase the CPAP level
What is the target FiO2 range of nasal cannula in a patient with normal minute ventilation? - correct
answer 0.24-0.40
An RT is called to the ED to assist with the intubation of an alert, agitated patient in respiratory failure. 2
intubation attempts were unsuccessful. In addition to a neuromuscular blockade, which of the following
drugs will best facilitate intubation?
A. Propranolol HCl (Inderal)
B. Midazolam HCl (Versed)
C. Amlodipine (Norvasc)
D. Nitroprusside Sodium - correct answer B. Midazolam HCl (Versed)
A 14 year old male who is 163cm /5ft4in tall and weighs 51kg/112lbs is brought to the ED for suspected
drug overdose. He is intubated receiving VC AC ventilation.
Mandatory Rate: 14
Tidal Volume: 300mL
Inspiratory Flow: 20L/min
, Pressure limit: 50cm H2O
The physician wants the RT to adjust the I:E from 1:1.2 to 1:3
What should the RT increase? - correct answer The inspiratory flow
A 180-cm (5ft 11in) 75kg (165lb) male had a cardiac arrest and is admitted to the ICU. The patient is
apneic, receiving 100% O2 by a bag valve mask resuscitator, and has an SpO2 of 94%. Which is the most
appropriate ventilator setting?
1. SIMV/FiO2 1.0/Rate 10/VT 400/PEEP +3
2. SIMV/FiO2 0.40/Rate 12/VT 750/PEEP +5
3. AC/ FiO2 1.0/Rate 12/VT 600/PEEP +5
4. AC/FiO2 0.40/Rate 10/VT 550/PEEP +3 - correct answer 3. AC/ FiO2 1.0/Rate 12/VT 600/PEEP +5
While instructing a 9-year-old with pneumonia in use of PEP therapy device a respiratory therapist
observes the child is consistently unable to keep the seal around the mouthpiece. What should the RT
recommend? - correct answer Select a mask rather than a mouthpiece
What can be used to confirm the correct endotracheal tube position? - correct answer CXR
Lung fields appear whiter on a chest radiograph when the imaging technique is ____________ - correct
answer Underexposed
A 71-year-old man who has a femur fracture had a chest CT angiogram due to increased shortness of
breath. An RT observes multiple pulmonary arterial thrombi. SpO2 is 94% while receiving oxygen at
2L/min by nasal cannula. What should the RT recommend? - correct answer Intravenous heparin
