1 | Page
CSE RESPIRATORY THERAPY ACTUAL
EXAM 2026/2027 QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS & COMPLETE
RATIONALES
**1. A 45-year-old patient with COPD is admitted with acute
respiratory distress. ABG results show pH 7.28, PaCO₂ 58
mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 26 mEq/L, PaO₂ 55 mmHg on room air. What is
the primary acid-base disturbance?**
A. Respiratory alkalosis with metabolic compensation
B. Metabolic acidosis with respiratory compensation
C. Respiratory acidosis with incomplete metabolic
compensation
D. Metabolic alkalosis with respiratory compensation
**Correct answer:** C
**Rationale:** pH 7.28 is acidotic, PaCO₂ 58 is elevated
(respiratory cause). HCO₃⁻ 26 shows the kidneys have begun
compensating but not enough to normalize pH. The low PaO₂
confirms severe hypoxemia from COPD exacerbation.
---
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**2. A newborn receiving mechanical ventilation shows
hypotension, tracheal deviation away from the affected side,
and unilateral decreased breath sounds. What is the most likely
diagnosis?**
A. Atelectasis
B. Tension pneumothorax
C. Pulmonary edema
D. Pneumonia
**Correct answer:** B
**Rationale:** Tension pneumothorax causes air accumulation
that compresses the heart and great vessels, leading to
cardiovascular collapse (hypotension). Tracheal deviation
occurs away from the affected side due to pressure. Unilateral
decreased breath sounds confirm the diagnosis. This requires
immediate needle decompression.
---
**3. A patient on SIMV is set at a rate of 6 breaths/minute. What
is the primary advantage of SIMV compared to controlled
mechanical ventilation (CMV)?**
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A. Provides complete rest to respiratory muscles
B. Allows preservation of spontaneous breathing efforts and
promotes respiratory muscle conditioning
C. Eliminates the need for patient sedation
D. Guarantees complete minute ventilation
**Correct answer:** B
**Rationale:** SIMV allows spontaneous breathing between
mandatory breaths, preserving respiratory muscle tone and
promoting weaning readiness. CMV provides complete rest but
does not condition respiratory muscles.
---
**4. A patient with suspected pulmonary embolism undergoes a
V/Q scan. Which finding is most consistent with a high
probability of PE?**
A. Multiple segmental perfusion defects with normal ventilation
B. Mismatched ventilation defects with normal perfusion
C. Diffuse bilateral matched defects
D. Normal perfusion with patchy ventilation
**Correct answer:** A
CSE RESPIRATORY THERAPY ACTUAL
EXAM 2026/2027 QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS & COMPLETE
RATIONALES
**1. A 45-year-old patient with COPD is admitted with acute
respiratory distress. ABG results show pH 7.28, PaCO₂ 58
mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 26 mEq/L, PaO₂ 55 mmHg on room air. What is
the primary acid-base disturbance?**
A. Respiratory alkalosis with metabolic compensation
B. Metabolic acidosis with respiratory compensation
C. Respiratory acidosis with incomplete metabolic
compensation
D. Metabolic alkalosis with respiratory compensation
**Correct answer:** C
**Rationale:** pH 7.28 is acidotic, PaCO₂ 58 is elevated
(respiratory cause). HCO₃⁻ 26 shows the kidneys have begun
compensating but not enough to normalize pH. The low PaO₂
confirms severe hypoxemia from COPD exacerbation.
---
,2 | Page
**2. A newborn receiving mechanical ventilation shows
hypotension, tracheal deviation away from the affected side,
and unilateral decreased breath sounds. What is the most likely
diagnosis?**
A. Atelectasis
B. Tension pneumothorax
C. Pulmonary edema
D. Pneumonia
**Correct answer:** B
**Rationale:** Tension pneumothorax causes air accumulation
that compresses the heart and great vessels, leading to
cardiovascular collapse (hypotension). Tracheal deviation
occurs away from the affected side due to pressure. Unilateral
decreased breath sounds confirm the diagnosis. This requires
immediate needle decompression.
---
**3. A patient on SIMV is set at a rate of 6 breaths/minute. What
is the primary advantage of SIMV compared to controlled
mechanical ventilation (CMV)?**
, 3 | Page
A. Provides complete rest to respiratory muscles
B. Allows preservation of spontaneous breathing efforts and
promotes respiratory muscle conditioning
C. Eliminates the need for patient sedation
D. Guarantees complete minute ventilation
**Correct answer:** B
**Rationale:** SIMV allows spontaneous breathing between
mandatory breaths, preserving respiratory muscle tone and
promoting weaning readiness. CMV provides complete rest but
does not condition respiratory muscles.
---
**4. A patient with suspected pulmonary embolism undergoes a
V/Q scan. Which finding is most consistent with a high
probability of PE?**
A. Multiple segmental perfusion defects with normal ventilation
B. Mismatched ventilation defects with normal perfusion
C. Diffuse bilateral matched defects
D. Normal perfusion with patchy ventilation
**Correct answer:** A
