TMC Practice Test #1 Questions and
Correct Answers
1. All of the following are true statements regarding the use of an oropharyngeal
airway EXCEPT:
a. An oropharyngeal airway that is too large may obstruct the airway
b. An oropharyngeal airway is contraindicated for use in unconscious patients
c. An oropharyngeal airway may induce gagging and vomiting
d. An oropharyngeal airway that is too small may obstruct the airway
✓ ~~~ ANS: B.
EX: An oropharyngeal airway is NOT contraindicated for use in unconscious
patients. Airway is not contraindicated for use in an unconscious patient, only an
alert patient. The distal tip of the oropharyngeal airway may irritate the
hypopharyngeal area and induce gagging and vomiting. If an ororpharyngeal airway
is too large the distal tip may obstruct the hypopharyngeal area, resulting in airway
obstruction. If an oropharyngeal airway is too small the distal tip may push the
tongue the back of the throat, resulting in airway obstruction.
2 Which of the following would the respiratory therapist normally observe if a
conscious patient were breathing in the assist/control mode of ventilator support?
1. A slight drop in pressure before each patient triggered breath
2. A fixed or constant length of expiration
,3. a variable time interval between breaths
A. 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1, 2, and 3
D. 1 and 3 only
✓ ~~~ ANS: D
EX: 1. True - patient initiated breaths are normally observed by a slight dip in
inspiratory pressure just prior to the start of mechanical breath. 2. False - the length
of expiration is variable. 3. True - with patient initiated breaths mixed with timed
breaths, the time interval would be variable between breaths, not constant.
3 An intubated mechanically ventilated asthmatic patient is struggling to initiate
inspiration while in the assist/control mode. Which of the following ventilator settings
should the respiratory therapist first check to determine the cause of this problem?
a. The pressure limit
b. The PEEP control
c. The tidal volume
d. The sensitivity
✓ ~~~ ANS: D
EX: In this situation, the inspiratory threshold is set too low, adjustment of the
sensitivity setting should be done.
,4 Which of the following would be an appropriate recommendation for an intubated
mechanically ventilated patient receiving an FIO2 of 0.80 and PEEP of 10cm H2O
whose clinical condition begins to improve as evidenced by chest x-ray , physical
examination, and arterial blood gas values?
a. Lower the inspiratory flow rate
b. Decrease the ventilatory rate
c. Decrease the FIO2
d. Remove PEEP
✓ ~~~ ANS: C
EX: In this situation an FIO2 of. 80 is unwarranted and should be lowered before
adjusting any other ventilatory parameter.
5 Which of the following breathing patterns help to optimize aerosol drug deposition
of the deeper recesses of the lungs?
1. Mouth breathing
2. Rapid, deep inspirations
3. Inspiratory pause
4. Pursed-lip breathing
A. 2 and 3 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 1, 3, and 4 only
, D. 1, 2 ,3 and 4
✓ ~~~ ANS: C
To optimize aerosol drug deposition to the deeper recesses of the lungs, a patient
should be instructed to take slow, deep inspirations through the mouth, pause at
peak inspiration then slowly exhale trough pursed lips.
6 Which of the following patients should the respiratory therapist recommend
immediate intubation?
A. a patient experiencing an acute episode of bronchospasm
B. patient with thickened, retained secretions
C. patient with epiglottis
D. patient with post-extubation stridor
✓ ~~~ ANS: C
EX: of the patient conditions listed, only epiglottitis, because of its life-threatening
natured, requires immediate intubation.
7 Which of the following factors will cause the FIO2 of the high-flow oxygen delivery
device to decrease?
1. A shallow tidal volume
2. A decreased minute ventilation
3. A rapid respiratory rate
4. A malfunctioning air-entrainment port
Correct Answers
1. All of the following are true statements regarding the use of an oropharyngeal
airway EXCEPT:
a. An oropharyngeal airway that is too large may obstruct the airway
b. An oropharyngeal airway is contraindicated for use in unconscious patients
c. An oropharyngeal airway may induce gagging and vomiting
d. An oropharyngeal airway that is too small may obstruct the airway
✓ ~~~ ANS: B.
EX: An oropharyngeal airway is NOT contraindicated for use in unconscious
patients. Airway is not contraindicated for use in an unconscious patient, only an
alert patient. The distal tip of the oropharyngeal airway may irritate the
hypopharyngeal area and induce gagging and vomiting. If an ororpharyngeal airway
is too large the distal tip may obstruct the hypopharyngeal area, resulting in airway
obstruction. If an oropharyngeal airway is too small the distal tip may push the
tongue the back of the throat, resulting in airway obstruction.
2 Which of the following would the respiratory therapist normally observe if a
conscious patient were breathing in the assist/control mode of ventilator support?
1. A slight drop in pressure before each patient triggered breath
2. A fixed or constant length of expiration
,3. a variable time interval between breaths
A. 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1, 2, and 3
D. 1 and 3 only
✓ ~~~ ANS: D
EX: 1. True - patient initiated breaths are normally observed by a slight dip in
inspiratory pressure just prior to the start of mechanical breath. 2. False - the length
of expiration is variable. 3. True - with patient initiated breaths mixed with timed
breaths, the time interval would be variable between breaths, not constant.
3 An intubated mechanically ventilated asthmatic patient is struggling to initiate
inspiration while in the assist/control mode. Which of the following ventilator settings
should the respiratory therapist first check to determine the cause of this problem?
a. The pressure limit
b. The PEEP control
c. The tidal volume
d. The sensitivity
✓ ~~~ ANS: D
EX: In this situation, the inspiratory threshold is set too low, adjustment of the
sensitivity setting should be done.
,4 Which of the following would be an appropriate recommendation for an intubated
mechanically ventilated patient receiving an FIO2 of 0.80 and PEEP of 10cm H2O
whose clinical condition begins to improve as evidenced by chest x-ray , physical
examination, and arterial blood gas values?
a. Lower the inspiratory flow rate
b. Decrease the ventilatory rate
c. Decrease the FIO2
d. Remove PEEP
✓ ~~~ ANS: C
EX: In this situation an FIO2 of. 80 is unwarranted and should be lowered before
adjusting any other ventilatory parameter.
5 Which of the following breathing patterns help to optimize aerosol drug deposition
of the deeper recesses of the lungs?
1. Mouth breathing
2. Rapid, deep inspirations
3. Inspiratory pause
4. Pursed-lip breathing
A. 2 and 3 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 1, 3, and 4 only
, D. 1, 2 ,3 and 4
✓ ~~~ ANS: C
To optimize aerosol drug deposition to the deeper recesses of the lungs, a patient
should be instructed to take slow, deep inspirations through the mouth, pause at
peak inspiration then slowly exhale trough pursed lips.
6 Which of the following patients should the respiratory therapist recommend
immediate intubation?
A. a patient experiencing an acute episode of bronchospasm
B. patient with thickened, retained secretions
C. patient with epiglottis
D. patient with post-extubation stridor
✓ ~~~ ANS: C
EX: of the patient conditions listed, only epiglottitis, because of its life-threatening
natured, requires immediate intubation.
7 Which of the following factors will cause the FIO2 of the high-flow oxygen delivery
device to decrease?
1. A shallow tidal volume
2. A decreased minute ventilation
3. A rapid respiratory rate
4. A malfunctioning air-entrainment port
