RRT PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS &
COMPLETE CORRECT ANSWERS
A patient in ICU complains of light headedness, nausea and chest pain The patient is a
diaphoretic and has a BP of 90/60. An RT observes the ECG pattern (all pointing down). The
therapist should recommend
a. Lidocaine HCI
b. cardioversion
c. defibrillation
d. epinephrine - correct answer ✔✔b. cardioversion
A patient with Guillain-Barre syndrome has a vital capacity of 625 mL. A respiratory therapist
should recommend which of the following be performed first.
a. MIP evaluation
b. edrophonium chloride (tensilon test)
c. MVV Test
d. EMG and nerve conduction study. - correct answer ✔✔MIP evaluation
A patient's sputum specimen is purulent green in appearance, has separated into layers and has
a foul odor. What is most likely causing the patient to produce this sputum?
a. aspiration
b. tuberculosis
c. emphysema
,d. bronchiectasis - correct answer ✔✔d. bronchiectasis
The following patient pulmonary function results were obtained:
VC: 3.6 L
FRC: 6.0L
ERV: 1.0L
What is the patients TLC (L)? - correct answer ✔✔8.6
which of the following bedside pulmonary function testing results for a with multiple sclerosis
most strongly indicates the need for ventilatory assistance?
d. vital capacity of 5 mL/kg - correct answer ✔✔d. vital capacity of 5 mL/kg
A 62-year-old patient with a history of COPD becomes hypotensive following a drug overdose.
Following intubation, VC, A/C ventilation should be initiated with which of the following
concentrations? - correct answer ✔✔1.0
A patient has been receiving VC ventilation for 24 hours. A respiratory therapist is called to the
bedside because the high pressure alarm is sounding with each breath. which of the following
should the therapist do FIRST?
a. change to PC ventilation
b. withdraw the endotracheal tube 4 cm
c. manually ventilate the patient.
d. increase the high pressure alarm limit. - correct answer ✔✔c. manually ventilate the patient.
Just prior to removing the endotracheal tube, a respiratory therapist should deflate the cuff -
correct answer ✔✔b. deflate the cuff
, while preparing to assist with a chest tube insertion, a respiratory therapist learns that
pleurodesis will follow. Which of the following additional equipment should the therapist
provide? hemostat and 3 way stopcock - correct answer ✔✔c.hemostat and 3 way stopcock
Dynamic compliance is obtained by dividing Vt by - correct answer ✔✔(PIP-PEEP)
A 52-year-old patient with newly diagnosed OSA undergoes a CPAP titration study. With a CPAP
of 12cm H2O, the AHI is 3 and the lowest observed oxygen saturation is 90% The patient
continues to snore. a respiratory therapist should increase the CPAP level - correct answer
✔✔b. increase the CPAP level
What is the target FiO2 range of a nasal cannula in a patient with normal minute ventilation
0.24-0.40 - correct answer ✔✔d. 0.24-0.40
A respiratory therapist is called to the ED to assist with the intubation of an alert, agitated
patient in respiratory failure. Two intubation attempts were unsuccessful. in addition to a
neuromuscular blockade, which of the following drugs will facilitate intubation?
midazolam HCI (versed) - correct answer ✔✔b. midazolam HCI (versed)
A 14-year-old male is 163cm (5'4) tall and weighs 51kg (112 lb) is brought to the ED for a
suspected drug overdose. He is intubated and receiving VC, A/C ventilation. the following data is
available:
Mandatory rate: 14
Tidal volume: 300mL
Inspiratory flow: 20L/min
Pressure limit: 50cm H2O
The physician notices the I:E display indicated 1:1.2 and asks a respiratory therapist to make an
adjustment so the I:E will be 1:3 the therapist should increase the
inspiratory flow - correct answer ✔✔b. inspiratory flow
COMPLETE CORRECT ANSWERS
A patient in ICU complains of light headedness, nausea and chest pain The patient is a
diaphoretic and has a BP of 90/60. An RT observes the ECG pattern (all pointing down). The
therapist should recommend
a. Lidocaine HCI
b. cardioversion
c. defibrillation
d. epinephrine - correct answer ✔✔b. cardioversion
A patient with Guillain-Barre syndrome has a vital capacity of 625 mL. A respiratory therapist
should recommend which of the following be performed first.
a. MIP evaluation
b. edrophonium chloride (tensilon test)
c. MVV Test
d. EMG and nerve conduction study. - correct answer ✔✔MIP evaluation
A patient's sputum specimen is purulent green in appearance, has separated into layers and has
a foul odor. What is most likely causing the patient to produce this sputum?
a. aspiration
b. tuberculosis
c. emphysema
,d. bronchiectasis - correct answer ✔✔d. bronchiectasis
The following patient pulmonary function results were obtained:
VC: 3.6 L
FRC: 6.0L
ERV: 1.0L
What is the patients TLC (L)? - correct answer ✔✔8.6
which of the following bedside pulmonary function testing results for a with multiple sclerosis
most strongly indicates the need for ventilatory assistance?
d. vital capacity of 5 mL/kg - correct answer ✔✔d. vital capacity of 5 mL/kg
A 62-year-old patient with a history of COPD becomes hypotensive following a drug overdose.
Following intubation, VC, A/C ventilation should be initiated with which of the following
concentrations? - correct answer ✔✔1.0
A patient has been receiving VC ventilation for 24 hours. A respiratory therapist is called to the
bedside because the high pressure alarm is sounding with each breath. which of the following
should the therapist do FIRST?
a. change to PC ventilation
b. withdraw the endotracheal tube 4 cm
c. manually ventilate the patient.
d. increase the high pressure alarm limit. - correct answer ✔✔c. manually ventilate the patient.
Just prior to removing the endotracheal tube, a respiratory therapist should deflate the cuff -
correct answer ✔✔b. deflate the cuff
, while preparing to assist with a chest tube insertion, a respiratory therapist learns that
pleurodesis will follow. Which of the following additional equipment should the therapist
provide? hemostat and 3 way stopcock - correct answer ✔✔c.hemostat and 3 way stopcock
Dynamic compliance is obtained by dividing Vt by - correct answer ✔✔(PIP-PEEP)
A 52-year-old patient with newly diagnosed OSA undergoes a CPAP titration study. With a CPAP
of 12cm H2O, the AHI is 3 and the lowest observed oxygen saturation is 90% The patient
continues to snore. a respiratory therapist should increase the CPAP level - correct answer
✔✔b. increase the CPAP level
What is the target FiO2 range of a nasal cannula in a patient with normal minute ventilation
0.24-0.40 - correct answer ✔✔d. 0.24-0.40
A respiratory therapist is called to the ED to assist with the intubation of an alert, agitated
patient in respiratory failure. Two intubation attempts were unsuccessful. in addition to a
neuromuscular blockade, which of the following drugs will facilitate intubation?
midazolam HCI (versed) - correct answer ✔✔b. midazolam HCI (versed)
A 14-year-old male is 163cm (5'4) tall and weighs 51kg (112 lb) is brought to the ED for a
suspected drug overdose. He is intubated and receiving VC, A/C ventilation. the following data is
available:
Mandatory rate: 14
Tidal volume: 300mL
Inspiratory flow: 20L/min
Pressure limit: 50cm H2O
The physician notices the I:E display indicated 1:1.2 and asks a respiratory therapist to make an
adjustment so the I:E will be 1:3 the therapist should increase the
inspiratory flow - correct answer ✔✔b. inspiratory flow
