NBRC THERAPIST MULTIPLE-CHOICE
SAE (FORM 2020 A) QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS
oA respiratory therapist is assisting a physician with endotracheal intubation. Which of the following
should be used INITIALLY to confirm tracheal intubation?
A. cm marking of the endotracheal tube
B. observable condensation in the tube
C. pulse oximetry
D. colorimetric capnography - D. colorimetric capnography
Colorimetric capnography assesses the presence of CO2 and provides confirmation of tracheal intubation
when CO2 is detected.
A respiratory therapist is asked to review a newborn's history. The following information is available
about the first few minutes after birth:
1 minute 5 minutes
Appearance acrocyanosis pink
Heart rate 70/min 110/min
Reflex cough cough
Muscle tone weak active motion
Respiratory rate 20/min 40/min
Which of the following
APGAR scores should the therapist expect to see for this infant?
1-minute 5-minute
1. 4 8
,2. 5 8
3. 6 10
4. 7 10
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4 - C. 3
The score for 1 minute is 6: acrocyanosis = 1, heart rate of 70/min = 1, cough = 2, weak activity = 1,
respiratory rate of 20/min = 1.
The score for 5 minutes is 10: pink = 2, heart rate of 110/min = 2, cough = 2, active motion = 2,
respiratory rate of 40/min = 2.
A 58-year-old female was diagnosed with bronchiectasis 3 years ago. She reports increased cough and
difficulty clearing secretions for the past 4 weeks. A chest radiograph shows no significant changes.
Which of the following should the respiratory therapist recommend FIRST?
A. transtracheal aspiration
B. airway clearance therapy
C. bronchodilator treatments
D. respiratory isolation - B. airway clearance therapy
The history, clinical presentation, and chest radiograph findings suggest worsening bronchiectasis. The
treatment of bronchiectasis includes techniques to loosen and mobilize viscid secretions. Postural
drainage enhances sputum clearance.
A 24-year-old female is diagnosed with exercise-induced asthma and albuterol prn is ordered. A
respiratory therapist should NEXT
A. refer the patient for allergy skin testing.
B. educate the patient on obtaining daily peak flow measurements.
C. instruct the patient to use albuterol 15 minutes before exercising.
,D. suggest the patient use pursed lip breathing while exercising. - C. instruct the patient to use albuterol
15 minutes before exercising.
Patient understanding of their disease process and triggers is important part of patient education, as
well as knowing when and which medication should be taken.
In which of the following circumstances will tracheal secretions tend to dry in an intubated patient?
A. a water vapor pressure of 47 mm Hg
B. a relative humidity of 100% at 22°
C (71.6° F) C. a dew point of 37° C (98.6° F)
D. an absolute humidity of 44 mg/L - B. a relative humidity of 100% at 22°
The absolute humidity at this temperature is inadequate.
Prior to suctioning the endotracheal tube of an adult patient who is receiving ventilation with an FIO2 of
0.40, a respiratory therapist should FIRST
A. lubricate the catheter.
B. hyperoxygenate the patient.
C. cleanse the catheter with water.
D. administer an FIO2 of 0.40 by T-piece. - B. hyperoxygenate the patient.
The FIO2 should be increased prior to each suctioning attempt to minimize hypoxemia
A 25-year-old patient with apnea is receiving PC ventilation. ABG analysis results are as follows:
pH 7.20 PCO2 65 mm Hg
PO2 70 mm Hg
HO3 25 mEq/L
BE -4 mEq/L
SO2 (calc) 94%
, A respiratory therapist should recommend increasing the
A. set inspiratory pressure.
B. expiratory time.
C. sensitivity.
D. peak flow. - A. set inspiratory pressure.
In PC ventilation, increasing the inspiratory pressure will result in an increased tidal volume and minute
ventilation, potentially causing a decrease in the PCO2
A 68-year-old patient who is post-CABG was extubated 4 hours ago and complains of increasing
shortness of breath. Breath sounds are decreased over the right lung field. The following data are
available while the patient receives 4-L oxygen by nasal cannula:
HR 103/min RR 27/min BP 155/90 mm Hg SpO2 90%
Which of the following studies should a respiratory therapist recommend FIRST?
A. bedside spirometry
B. chest CT with contrast
C. ventilation/perfusion scan
D. chest radiograph - D. chest radiograph
Based on the timing and symptoms, the dyspnea could be due to pneumothorax, chest tube
malfunction, lobar collapse, or accumulation of pleural fluid. A chest radiograph can be obtained quickly
to identify the issue for rapid intervention.
(A CT scan with contrast could identify a pulmonary embolus or fluid collection, but this would not be
the most appropriate next step in evaluating this patient.)
Which of the following medications should a respiratory therapist use to anesthetize a patient's airway
prior to a flexible bronchoscopy procedure?
A. lidocaine HCl
SAE (FORM 2020 A) QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS
oA respiratory therapist is assisting a physician with endotracheal intubation. Which of the following
should be used INITIALLY to confirm tracheal intubation?
A. cm marking of the endotracheal tube
B. observable condensation in the tube
C. pulse oximetry
D. colorimetric capnography - D. colorimetric capnography
Colorimetric capnography assesses the presence of CO2 and provides confirmation of tracheal intubation
when CO2 is detected.
A respiratory therapist is asked to review a newborn's history. The following information is available
about the first few minutes after birth:
1 minute 5 minutes
Appearance acrocyanosis pink
Heart rate 70/min 110/min
Reflex cough cough
Muscle tone weak active motion
Respiratory rate 20/min 40/min
Which of the following
APGAR scores should the therapist expect to see for this infant?
1-minute 5-minute
1. 4 8
,2. 5 8
3. 6 10
4. 7 10
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4 - C. 3
The score for 1 minute is 6: acrocyanosis = 1, heart rate of 70/min = 1, cough = 2, weak activity = 1,
respiratory rate of 20/min = 1.
The score for 5 minutes is 10: pink = 2, heart rate of 110/min = 2, cough = 2, active motion = 2,
respiratory rate of 40/min = 2.
A 58-year-old female was diagnosed with bronchiectasis 3 years ago. She reports increased cough and
difficulty clearing secretions for the past 4 weeks. A chest radiograph shows no significant changes.
Which of the following should the respiratory therapist recommend FIRST?
A. transtracheal aspiration
B. airway clearance therapy
C. bronchodilator treatments
D. respiratory isolation - B. airway clearance therapy
The history, clinical presentation, and chest radiograph findings suggest worsening bronchiectasis. The
treatment of bronchiectasis includes techniques to loosen and mobilize viscid secretions. Postural
drainage enhances sputum clearance.
A 24-year-old female is diagnosed with exercise-induced asthma and albuterol prn is ordered. A
respiratory therapist should NEXT
A. refer the patient for allergy skin testing.
B. educate the patient on obtaining daily peak flow measurements.
C. instruct the patient to use albuterol 15 minutes before exercising.
,D. suggest the patient use pursed lip breathing while exercising. - C. instruct the patient to use albuterol
15 minutes before exercising.
Patient understanding of their disease process and triggers is important part of patient education, as
well as knowing when and which medication should be taken.
In which of the following circumstances will tracheal secretions tend to dry in an intubated patient?
A. a water vapor pressure of 47 mm Hg
B. a relative humidity of 100% at 22°
C (71.6° F) C. a dew point of 37° C (98.6° F)
D. an absolute humidity of 44 mg/L - B. a relative humidity of 100% at 22°
The absolute humidity at this temperature is inadequate.
Prior to suctioning the endotracheal tube of an adult patient who is receiving ventilation with an FIO2 of
0.40, a respiratory therapist should FIRST
A. lubricate the catheter.
B. hyperoxygenate the patient.
C. cleanse the catheter with water.
D. administer an FIO2 of 0.40 by T-piece. - B. hyperoxygenate the patient.
The FIO2 should be increased prior to each suctioning attempt to minimize hypoxemia
A 25-year-old patient with apnea is receiving PC ventilation. ABG analysis results are as follows:
pH 7.20 PCO2 65 mm Hg
PO2 70 mm Hg
HO3 25 mEq/L
BE -4 mEq/L
SO2 (calc) 94%
, A respiratory therapist should recommend increasing the
A. set inspiratory pressure.
B. expiratory time.
C. sensitivity.
D. peak flow. - A. set inspiratory pressure.
In PC ventilation, increasing the inspiratory pressure will result in an increased tidal volume and minute
ventilation, potentially causing a decrease in the PCO2
A 68-year-old patient who is post-CABG was extubated 4 hours ago and complains of increasing
shortness of breath. Breath sounds are decreased over the right lung field. The following data are
available while the patient receives 4-L oxygen by nasal cannula:
HR 103/min RR 27/min BP 155/90 mm Hg SpO2 90%
Which of the following studies should a respiratory therapist recommend FIRST?
A. bedside spirometry
B. chest CT with contrast
C. ventilation/perfusion scan
D. chest radiograph - D. chest radiograph
Based on the timing and symptoms, the dyspnea could be due to pneumothorax, chest tube
malfunction, lobar collapse, or accumulation of pleural fluid. A chest radiograph can be obtained quickly
to identify the issue for rapid intervention.
(A CT scan with contrast could identify a pulmonary embolus or fluid collection, but this would not be
the most appropriate next step in evaluating this patient.)
Which of the following medications should a respiratory therapist use to anesthetize a patient's airway
prior to a flexible bronchoscopy procedure?
A. lidocaine HCl
