NBRC TMC Practice Exam Test Bank | Complete
Exam Study Guide with Actual Questions, Verified
Correct Answers and Detailed Rationales | Latest
Updated Edition 2026/2027 | Already Graded A+
Question 1
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
Answer: B
Rationale: Barometric pressure, FiO2, and PaO2 are all included in the formula
(BP stands for barometric pressure).
Question 2
L/min/m2 is the unit of measure for:
A. Systemic vascular resistance
B. Cardiac output
C. Cardiac index
D. Stroke volume
Answer: C
Rationale: Cardiac index is cardiac output per body surface area (L/min/m²).
Question 3
A spontaneously breathing patient has the following arterial blood gas results: pH
7.38, PaCO2 42 mmHg, PaO2 76 mmHg, HCO3- 24 mEq/L, BE 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
pg. 1
,C. Non-rebreathing mask
D. Venturi mask at 30%
Answer: B
Rationale: A patient showing signs of hypoxemia should receive supplemental
oxygen. If not COPD and not an emergency, the proper adult therapeutic dose is
40% to 55%. Only 5 L/min nasal cannula approaches this.
Question 4
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
Answer: D
Rationale: The function of the left heart is best assessed hemodynamically by
looking at pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and cardiac output.
Question 5
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
Answer: B
Rationale: Use of accessory muscles is most closely associated with an increase in
airway resistance, especially in asthma or upper airway inflammation.
Question 6
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
pg. 2
,B. Optimal PEEP
C. Minimal PEEP
D. Upper limit of residual volume
Answer: A
Rationale: The lowest inflection point indicates the minimum pressure needed to
keep alveoli open.
Question 7
The results of a V/Q scan show 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
Answer: C
Rationale: Poor perfusion with adequate ventilation is most closely associated with
pulmonary embolism. Wedge-shaped infiltrates support this.
Question 8
A 65-year-old male is ordered to receive bronchodilator therapy with Albuterol.
The therapist 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 Beclomethasone (Beclovent)
D. Switch from Albuterol to ipratropium bromide (Atrovent)
Answer: D
Rationale: Albuterol is a beta-agonist; patients on beta-blockers should use other
bronchodilators like ipratropium.
pg. 3
, Question 9
A hospital has an extremely low incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia. To
which of the following reasons may this be attributed?
A. Periodic discontinuation of sedation
B. Use of respiratory precautions with the population
C. Diversion of infectious patients to other facilities
D. Broad use of prophylactic antibiotics
Answer: A
Rationale: VAP incidence is lowered by closed system suction, periodic
discontinuation of sedation, semi-Fowler's position, and handwashing.
Question 10
A pressure-volume loop ventilator graphic shows no rise in pressure for the first
200 mL of delivered volume. The therapist should:
A. Increase inspiratory flow rate
B. Increase PEEP
C. Decrease tidal volume
D. Decrease inspiratory flow rate
Answer: B
Rationale: The "flat football" appearance indicates need to increase PEEP until
pressure rises immediately as volume is introduced.
Question 11
Which of the following would be the most effective, appropriate method for
resolving atelectasis in a spontaneously breathing, post-operative patient who is
under the influence of sedation and will not respond to verbal stimuli?
A. IPPB
B. Sustained maximal inhalation (incentive spirometer)
C. Deep breathing coaching
D. Intubation and mechanical ventilation
Answer: A
Rationale: IPPB is most appropriate because the patient cannot respond to verbal
stimuli for incentive spirometry.
pg. 4
Exam Study Guide with Actual Questions, Verified
Correct Answers and Detailed Rationales | Latest
Updated Edition 2026/2027 | Already Graded A+
Question 1
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
Answer: B
Rationale: Barometric pressure, FiO2, and PaO2 are all included in the formula
(BP stands for barometric pressure).
Question 2
L/min/m2 is the unit of measure for:
A. Systemic vascular resistance
B. Cardiac output
C. Cardiac index
D. Stroke volume
Answer: C
Rationale: Cardiac index is cardiac output per body surface area (L/min/m²).
Question 3
A spontaneously breathing patient has the following arterial blood gas results: pH
7.38, PaCO2 42 mmHg, PaO2 76 mmHg, HCO3- 24 mEq/L, BE 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
pg. 1
,C. Non-rebreathing mask
D. Venturi mask at 30%
Answer: B
Rationale: A patient showing signs of hypoxemia should receive supplemental
oxygen. If not COPD and not an emergency, the proper adult therapeutic dose is
40% to 55%. Only 5 L/min nasal cannula approaches this.
Question 4
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
Answer: D
Rationale: The function of the left heart is best assessed hemodynamically by
looking at pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and cardiac output.
Question 5
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
Answer: B
Rationale: Use of accessory muscles is most closely associated with an increase in
airway resistance, especially in asthma or upper airway inflammation.
Question 6
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
pg. 2
,B. Optimal PEEP
C. Minimal PEEP
D. Upper limit of residual volume
Answer: A
Rationale: The lowest inflection point indicates the minimum pressure needed to
keep alveoli open.
Question 7
The results of a V/Q scan show 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
Answer: C
Rationale: Poor perfusion with adequate ventilation is most closely associated with
pulmonary embolism. Wedge-shaped infiltrates support this.
Question 8
A 65-year-old male is ordered to receive bronchodilator therapy with Albuterol.
The therapist 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 Beclomethasone (Beclovent)
D. Switch from Albuterol to ipratropium bromide (Atrovent)
Answer: D
Rationale: Albuterol is a beta-agonist; patients on beta-blockers should use other
bronchodilators like ipratropium.
pg. 3
, Question 9
A hospital has an extremely low incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia. To
which of the following reasons may this be attributed?
A. Periodic discontinuation of sedation
B. Use of respiratory precautions with the population
C. Diversion of infectious patients to other facilities
D. Broad use of prophylactic antibiotics
Answer: A
Rationale: VAP incidence is lowered by closed system suction, periodic
discontinuation of sedation, semi-Fowler's position, and handwashing.
Question 10
A pressure-volume loop ventilator graphic shows no rise in pressure for the first
200 mL of delivered volume. The therapist should:
A. Increase inspiratory flow rate
B. Increase PEEP
C. Decrease tidal volume
D. Decrease inspiratory flow rate
Answer: B
Rationale: The "flat football" appearance indicates need to increase PEEP until
pressure rises immediately as volume is introduced.
Question 11
Which of the following would be the most effective, appropriate method for
resolving atelectasis in a spontaneously breathing, post-operative patient who is
under the influence of sedation and will not respond to verbal stimuli?
A. IPPB
B. Sustained maximal inhalation (incentive spirometer)
C. Deep breathing coaching
D. Intubation and mechanical ventilation
Answer: A
Rationale: IPPB is most appropriate because the patient cannot respond to verbal
stimuli for incentive spirometry.
pg. 4
