NRCME TEST
UPDATED ACTUAL QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS
Question 1.
What minimum PaO2 level is necessary if the driver
has an ABG due to a chronic
respiratory disorder?
a.70mmHg
b.55mmHg
c.60mmHg
d.65mmHg
ANSWER
Correct answer is "D". To be qualified, the driver should meet a minimum arterial blood gas
(PaO2) greater than 65.
Question 2.
A driver first perceives a whispered voice at 5 feet in his right ear and 4 feet in his left ear. All other
aspects
of his physical examination
are unremarkable. The examiner should:
a.Permanently disqualify
the driver because he
"failed" the whispered voice
test.
b.Certify the driver for 2
years.
c.Certify the driver for 1
year.
d.Require an audiometric
test to determine the extent of hearing loss in his left ear.
ANSWER
Correct answer is "B". The driver is qualified to drive without restriction as long as he is able to
perceive a whispered voice at 5 feet in 1 ear.
Question 3.
A driver reports for an examination 6 weeks after suffering a mild heart attack and presents a note
,from his cardiologist stating that he is able to return to work immediately
without restriction. Included within the note, the cardiologist provides recent
testing information showing that the driver had an
ETT that showed he was able to reach 12 METS during the test. His echocardiogram showed an
ejection
fraction of 65%. The examination of the driver is unremarkable. The examiner
should:
a. Temporarily disqualify
the driver.
b. Qualify the driver for 1
year.
c. Qualify the driver for 2
years.
d. Consult with the cardiologist to determine if the driver suffers from angina.
ANSWER
Correct answer is "A". The driver has not completed the required 2-monthwaiting period, but
all other requirements for medical clearance and required testing have been met. The driver
would be certified for 1 year at the completion of the waiting period. The date of the
certification would be from the date of the original examination.
Question 4.
A driver provides an audiometric test documenting the following:
1. 500 Hz: 2. 1000 HZ: 3.
2000 HZ: 4. 4000 Hz:
35 Right ear; 40 Left ear
40 Right ear; 45 Left ear
40 Right ear; 45 Left ear 50
Right ear; 50 Left ear
5.
The medical examiner
should:
a. Disqualify the driver because he does not meet
minimum hearing requirementsto drive.
b. Certify the driver for
2years.
c. Certify the driver for 1
year.
d. Require the driver to obtain a hearing exemption.
ANSWER
Correct answer is "B". The examiner would average the results from 500 Hz, 1000 Hz and 2000
Hz. This average is 38.33 in the Right and 43.33 in the Left ear. A driver must have an average
, hearing loss of less than or equal to 40 in the better ear. This does not have to be met in both
ears.
Question 5.
During the examination of a commercial driver, the examiner notices that the driver's peripheral vision
is 70
degrees to the left and 80
degrees to the right. The examiner should:
a. Qualify the driver for 2
years.
b. Require the driver to obtain a vision exemption because of the limitation in the driver's
left peripheral field.
c. Disqualify the driver.
d. Have the driver consult
with an Ophthalmologist to determine if the driver's peripheral vision meets minimum standards.
ANSWER
Correct answer is "A". A driver must exhibit a minimum peripheral vision of 70 degrees
bilaterally.
Question 6.
During examination, the medical examiner notices
that the driver is distant, lacks eye contact and shows absolutely no emotional response during the
exam. The examiner's best
response should be:
a. Provide the driver with a "CAGE" questionnaire to determine if he suffers
from alcoholism.
b.
c. Certify the driver with a
1-time, 3-month certificate
to determine if there is any effect on the driver's ability
to drive a CMV.
d. Require a skill performance evaluation to ascertain if the driver has any limitations with driving.
ANSWER
Correct answer is "B". The driver exhibits what may be considered a "flat affect" which is seen
in schizophrenia and in severe depression. The driver should be evaluated by a mental health
expert to make a diagnosis prior to certification.
Question 7.
A driver admits to the use of marijuana for the treatment of his glaucoma, which is legal in the State
, in which he lives. He provides medical documentation for the glaucoma indicating he is able to drive a
truck. He began using
the marijuana about three
months ago. His current
medical card has no limitations listed and is for 2
years. His certification examination is within normal
limits. The medical examiner should:
a. Disqualify the driver.
b. Perform a urine drug
collection and provide the release from the testing
provider.
c. Certify the driver for 1
year.
d. Certify the driver for 2
years.
ANSWER
Correct answer is "A". Use of marijuana is prohibited by Federal law while driving a CMV and
trumps State law in this matter.
Question 8.
A driver has a blood pressure of 136/92 mm Hg. This is:
a. Within normal limits and would not affect the driver's certification.
b. Stage 1 Hypertension.
c. Stage 2 Hypertension.
d. Stage 3 Hypertension.
ANSWER
Correct answer is "B". This is Stage 1 Hypertension, which is defined as 140-159/90 - 99.
UPDATED ACTUAL QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS
Question 1.
What minimum PaO2 level is necessary if the driver
has an ABG due to a chronic
respiratory disorder?
a.70mmHg
b.55mmHg
c.60mmHg
d.65mmHg
ANSWER
Correct answer is "D". To be qualified, the driver should meet a minimum arterial blood gas
(PaO2) greater than 65.
Question 2.
A driver first perceives a whispered voice at 5 feet in his right ear and 4 feet in his left ear. All other
aspects
of his physical examination
are unremarkable. The examiner should:
a.Permanently disqualify
the driver because he
"failed" the whispered voice
test.
b.Certify the driver for 2
years.
c.Certify the driver for 1
year.
d.Require an audiometric
test to determine the extent of hearing loss in his left ear.
ANSWER
Correct answer is "B". The driver is qualified to drive without restriction as long as he is able to
perceive a whispered voice at 5 feet in 1 ear.
Question 3.
A driver reports for an examination 6 weeks after suffering a mild heart attack and presents a note
,from his cardiologist stating that he is able to return to work immediately
without restriction. Included within the note, the cardiologist provides recent
testing information showing that the driver had an
ETT that showed he was able to reach 12 METS during the test. His echocardiogram showed an
ejection
fraction of 65%. The examination of the driver is unremarkable. The examiner
should:
a. Temporarily disqualify
the driver.
b. Qualify the driver for 1
year.
c. Qualify the driver for 2
years.
d. Consult with the cardiologist to determine if the driver suffers from angina.
ANSWER
Correct answer is "A". The driver has not completed the required 2-monthwaiting period, but
all other requirements for medical clearance and required testing have been met. The driver
would be certified for 1 year at the completion of the waiting period. The date of the
certification would be from the date of the original examination.
Question 4.
A driver provides an audiometric test documenting the following:
1. 500 Hz: 2. 1000 HZ: 3.
2000 HZ: 4. 4000 Hz:
35 Right ear; 40 Left ear
40 Right ear; 45 Left ear
40 Right ear; 45 Left ear 50
Right ear; 50 Left ear
5.
The medical examiner
should:
a. Disqualify the driver because he does not meet
minimum hearing requirementsto drive.
b. Certify the driver for
2years.
c. Certify the driver for 1
year.
d. Require the driver to obtain a hearing exemption.
ANSWER
Correct answer is "B". The examiner would average the results from 500 Hz, 1000 Hz and 2000
Hz. This average is 38.33 in the Right and 43.33 in the Left ear. A driver must have an average
, hearing loss of less than or equal to 40 in the better ear. This does not have to be met in both
ears.
Question 5.
During the examination of a commercial driver, the examiner notices that the driver's peripheral vision
is 70
degrees to the left and 80
degrees to the right. The examiner should:
a. Qualify the driver for 2
years.
b. Require the driver to obtain a vision exemption because of the limitation in the driver's
left peripheral field.
c. Disqualify the driver.
d. Have the driver consult
with an Ophthalmologist to determine if the driver's peripheral vision meets minimum standards.
ANSWER
Correct answer is "A". A driver must exhibit a minimum peripheral vision of 70 degrees
bilaterally.
Question 6.
During examination, the medical examiner notices
that the driver is distant, lacks eye contact and shows absolutely no emotional response during the
exam. The examiner's best
response should be:
a. Provide the driver with a "CAGE" questionnaire to determine if he suffers
from alcoholism.
b.
c. Certify the driver with a
1-time, 3-month certificate
to determine if there is any effect on the driver's ability
to drive a CMV.
d. Require a skill performance evaluation to ascertain if the driver has any limitations with driving.
ANSWER
Correct answer is "B". The driver exhibits what may be considered a "flat affect" which is seen
in schizophrenia and in severe depression. The driver should be evaluated by a mental health
expert to make a diagnosis prior to certification.
Question 7.
A driver admits to the use of marijuana for the treatment of his glaucoma, which is legal in the State
, in which he lives. He provides medical documentation for the glaucoma indicating he is able to drive a
truck. He began using
the marijuana about three
months ago. His current
medical card has no limitations listed and is for 2
years. His certification examination is within normal
limits. The medical examiner should:
a. Disqualify the driver.
b. Perform a urine drug
collection and provide the release from the testing
provider.
c. Certify the driver for 1
year.
d. Certify the driver for 2
years.
ANSWER
Correct answer is "A". Use of marijuana is prohibited by Federal law while driving a CMV and
trumps State law in this matter.
Question 8.
A driver has a blood pressure of 136/92 mm Hg. This is:
a. Within normal limits and would not affect the driver's certification.
b. Stage 1 Hypertension.
c. Stage 2 Hypertension.
d. Stage 3 Hypertension.
ANSWER
Correct answer is "B". This is Stage 1 Hypertension, which is defined as 140-159/90 - 99.
