Certified Respiratory Therapist Exam Cheat Sheet | Key Concepts
for NBRC TMC & CRT 2024–2025
This cheat sheet summarizes essential concepts, formulas, and clinical guidelines needed to pass th
NBRC Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) and Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) exams. It
covers high-yield topics such as ABG interpretation, ventilator settings, oxygen delivery devices,
respiratory pharmacology, and critical care calculations. Perfect for quick review before the exam
this compact reference is a powerful tool for last-minute prep.
1. Nasal Cannula: Comfortable, low O‚ needs; Flow Rate: 1-6 L/min; FiO‚: 24-
44%.
2. Simple Mask: Minimum 5 L/min to flush CO‚; Flow Rate: 5-10 L/min; FiO‚: 40-
60%.
3. Non-Rebreather: One-way valve, emergency use; Flow Rate: 10-15 L/min;
FiO‚: ~100%.
4. Venturi Mask: Fixed FiO‚, great for COPD; Device-specific Flow Rate; FiO‚: 24
50%.
5. Crackles: Suggests CHF, pneumonia; Description: Bubbling, fluid in alveoli.
6. Wheeze: Suggests Asthma, bronchospasm; Description: Musical, narrowed
airways.
7. Rhonchi: Suggests Bronchitis, secretions; Description: Coarse, clears with
cough.
8. Stridor: Suggests Croup, upper airway obstruction; Description: High-pitched,
inspiratory.
9. Kussmaul: Deep, rapid breathing associated with metabolic acidosis.
10. Cheyne-Stokes: Wax/wane breathing pattern with apnea, often due to brain
injury.
for NBRC TMC & CRT 2024–2025
This cheat sheet summarizes essential concepts, formulas, and clinical guidelines needed to pass th
NBRC Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) and Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) exams. It
covers high-yield topics such as ABG interpretation, ventilator settings, oxygen delivery devices,
respiratory pharmacology, and critical care calculations. Perfect for quick review before the exam
this compact reference is a powerful tool for last-minute prep.
1. Nasal Cannula: Comfortable, low O‚ needs; Flow Rate: 1-6 L/min; FiO‚: 24-
44%.
2. Simple Mask: Minimum 5 L/min to flush CO‚; Flow Rate: 5-10 L/min; FiO‚: 40-
60%.
3. Non-Rebreather: One-way valve, emergency use; Flow Rate: 10-15 L/min;
FiO‚: ~100%.
4. Venturi Mask: Fixed FiO‚, great for COPD; Device-specific Flow Rate; FiO‚: 24
50%.
5. Crackles: Suggests CHF, pneumonia; Description: Bubbling, fluid in alveoli.
6. Wheeze: Suggests Asthma, bronchospasm; Description: Musical, narrowed
airways.
7. Rhonchi: Suggests Bronchitis, secretions; Description: Coarse, clears with
cough.
8. Stridor: Suggests Croup, upper airway obstruction; Description: High-pitched,
inspiratory.
9. Kussmaul: Deep, rapid breathing associated with metabolic acidosis.
10. Cheyne-Stokes: Wax/wane breathing pattern with apnea, often due to brain
injury.
