TMC Exam C Form M Lindsey Jones TMC I 2025/2026 with Solution and
Updated Respiratory Therapy Exam Prep Guide
The respiratory therapist should evaluate which of the following to develop a teaching plan for a
patient who will be using a small volume nebulizer at home?
a. manual dexterity
b. highest grade level achieved in school
c. spousal support
d. English speaking proficiency - ANS-a. manual dexterity
Which of the following would be most beneficial in resolving microatelectasis?
a. chest tubes
b. percutaneous ventilation
c. thoracentesis
d. bronchoscopy - ANS-d. bronchoscopy
A 45 year-old patient is recovering in the intensive care unit after undergoing a surgical
procedure to repair a hernia. The patient remains unconscious. To prevent soft tissue
obstruction, the respiratory therapist should recommend a(n)
a. double-lumen endobronchial tube
b. oropharyngeal airway
c. bite block
d. nasopharyngeal airway - ANS-b. oropharyngeal airway
Quality control material has published values for pH of 7.20, PO2 of 65 mmHg. Documentation
indicates the range of pH is 0.5% and is 3% for PO2. Machine results are as follows:
Run 1: pH 7.19, PO2 64
Run 2: pH 7.10, PO2 69
Run 3: pH 7.21, PO2 65
Which quality control run(s) indicate the machine is out of control?
a. Run 1 and 2
b. Run 2 and 3
c. Run 3 only
d. Run 2 only - ANS-d. Run 2 only
A respiratory therapist is considering a patient's readiness to wean from mechanical ventilation.
To determine the A-aDO2, the therapist will need which of the following?
a. ABG and alveolar oxygen tension
b. VD/VT and PAO2
c. CaO2 and PAO2
d. VD/VT and ABG - ANS-a. ABG and alveolar oxygen tension
A patient with increased airway resistance from a fixed upper airway obstruction would benefit
most from which of the following?
,a. bronchodilator therapy
b. epinephrine
c. heliox therapy
d. aerosolized atropine - ANS-c. heliox therapy
Evaluating MIP (maximum inspiratory pressure) is most useful in evaluating which of the
following?
a. presence of a restrictive pulmonary defect
b. effectiveness of cough
c. presence of obstructive pulmonary defect
d. inspiratory muscle strength - ANS-d. inspiratory muscle strength
An air-entrainment jet nebulizer is set at 50%. The respiratory therapist analyzes the oxygen
coming from the end of the tubing and finds it is 60%. Which of the following most likely explains
this finding?
a. poorly calibrate analyzer
b. excess water in the tubing
c. low flow through the jet orifice
d. leak in the tubing - ANS-b. excess water in the tubing
During a preoperational test of the ventilator with a test lung, the respiratory therapist notes a
return tidal volume of 600 cc. Ventilator settings are:
Mode: Assist/control
FiO2: 0.50
Mandatory rate: 10
VT: 750 mL
What action should the therapist take?
a. examine the ventilator circuit for proper connections
b. obtain a larger test lung
c. increase the set tidal volume to 900 mL
d. obtain a smaller test lung - ANS-a. examine the ventilator circuit for proper connections
During the preoperational test of the ventilator, the respiratory therapist notices the galvanic
analyzer on the ventilator is reading erroneously low. Which of the following can the respiratory
therapist do to correct the problem?
a. replace the analyzer batteries
b. replace the electrolyte solution in the analyzer
c. tag the ventilator as non-functional and avoid placing it in service
d. change the fuel cell - ANS-d. change the fuel cell
Which of the following is most likely to increase nosocomial infection in a hospital?
a. use of an HME for 48 hours
b. poor hand washing among staff
c. frequent disconnection in the ventilator circuit
,d. use of alcohol-based hand cleaners - ANS-b. poor hand washing among staff
While monitoring a patient receiving mechanical ventilation, the respiratory therapist notices the
low-pressure and low exhaled volume alarms are sounding. Which of the following could be the
cause?
a. kinked endotracheal tube
b. disconnected thermistor line
c. excess water in the inspiratory limb of the circuit
d. herniated endotracheal tube cuff - ANS-b. disconnected thermistor line
A patient receiving positive pressure ventilation has a low-pressure alarm sounding. Which of
the following could be the cause?
a. a fracture in the plastic wye
b. herniated cuff
c. excess secretions in the airway
d. kinked ET tube - ANS-a. a fracture in the plastic wye
The high pressure alarm is sounding on a patient receiving volume controlled ventilation. The
respiratory therapist should FIRST
a. provide manual ventilation
b. suction the patient
c. observe the alarm panel to determine source
d. cancel the alarm - ANS-a. provide manual ventilation
Which of the following medications is shown to have sufficient affect when facial muscle
twitching is observed?
a. Halcion
b. Curare (d-turbo curare)
c. Romazicon
d. Anectine (succinylcholine chloride) - ANS-d. Anectine (succinylcholine chloride)
A respiratory therapist is preparing to measure SVC on a patient in the emergency department.
Which of the following equipment is required?
a. Collins water-seal spirometer
b. Geissler tube
c. Wheatstone bridge
d. respirometer - ANS-d. respirometer
A respiratory therapist is asked to determine a patient's inspiratory muscle strength. Which of
the following equipment is required for this evaluation?
a. Fleisch pneumotrachometer
b. pressure manometer
c. respirometer
d. peak flow meter - ANS-b. pressure manometer
, A respiratory therapist is ordered to do a bedside assessment of the effectiveness of a
bronchodilator on a patient with an acute asthmatic episode. Which of the following equipment
will be needed to perform this evaluation?
a. maximum inspiratory pressure manometer
b. peak flow meter
c. Collins water-seal spirometer
d. respirometer - ANS-b. peak flow meter
Which of the following pressures is most consistent with a normal pulmonary artery pressure
(PAP)?
a. 25/8 mmHg
b. 12/8 mmHg
c. 120/80 mmHg
d. 25/4 mmHg - ANS-a. 25/8 mmHg
A patient receiving heliox therapy at 70%/30% mixture by non-rebreathing mask has the
following arterial blood gas results:
pH 7.35 / PaCO2 45 / PaO2 110 / HCO3 24 / BE 0
Which of the following actions is appropriate?
a. change to a heliox mixture of 60%/40%
b. discontinue heliox therapy
c. switch to a partial rebreathing mask
d. change to an 80%/20% heliox mixture - ANS-d. change to an 80%/20% heliox mixture
A COPD patient complains of shortness of breath while exercising with a 2 L/min nasal cannula.
During exercise, SPO2 is noted to fall to 84%. Which of the following would be most helpful to
the patient during exercise?
a. decrease flow to 1 L/min nasal cannula
b. avoid exercising
c. use an air-entrainment mask set at 28%
d. use a non-rebreathing mask - ANS-c. use an air-entrainment mask set at 28%
A patient in the emergency room is receiving oxygen by nasal cannula at 3 L/min. Blood gases
reveal the following:
pH 7.53 / PaCO2 30 / PaO2 51 / HCO3 23 / BE -1
The respiratory therapist should immediately
a. place the patient on a non-rebreathing mask
b. decrease flow to 1 L/min
c. increase flow to 5 L/min
d. place the patient on a Venturi mask at 40% - ANS-a. place the patient on a non-rebreathing
mask
An 80-kg (176-lb) female patient is receiving mechanical ventilation on the following settings:
Updated Respiratory Therapy Exam Prep Guide
The respiratory therapist should evaluate which of the following to develop a teaching plan for a
patient who will be using a small volume nebulizer at home?
a. manual dexterity
b. highest grade level achieved in school
c. spousal support
d. English speaking proficiency - ANS-a. manual dexterity
Which of the following would be most beneficial in resolving microatelectasis?
a. chest tubes
b. percutaneous ventilation
c. thoracentesis
d. bronchoscopy - ANS-d. bronchoscopy
A 45 year-old patient is recovering in the intensive care unit after undergoing a surgical
procedure to repair a hernia. The patient remains unconscious. To prevent soft tissue
obstruction, the respiratory therapist should recommend a(n)
a. double-lumen endobronchial tube
b. oropharyngeal airway
c. bite block
d. nasopharyngeal airway - ANS-b. oropharyngeal airway
Quality control material has published values for pH of 7.20, PO2 of 65 mmHg. Documentation
indicates the range of pH is 0.5% and is 3% for PO2. Machine results are as follows:
Run 1: pH 7.19, PO2 64
Run 2: pH 7.10, PO2 69
Run 3: pH 7.21, PO2 65
Which quality control run(s) indicate the machine is out of control?
a. Run 1 and 2
b. Run 2 and 3
c. Run 3 only
d. Run 2 only - ANS-d. Run 2 only
A respiratory therapist is considering a patient's readiness to wean from mechanical ventilation.
To determine the A-aDO2, the therapist will need which of the following?
a. ABG and alveolar oxygen tension
b. VD/VT and PAO2
c. CaO2 and PAO2
d. VD/VT and ABG - ANS-a. ABG and alveolar oxygen tension
A patient with increased airway resistance from a fixed upper airway obstruction would benefit
most from which of the following?
,a. bronchodilator therapy
b. epinephrine
c. heliox therapy
d. aerosolized atropine - ANS-c. heliox therapy
Evaluating MIP (maximum inspiratory pressure) is most useful in evaluating which of the
following?
a. presence of a restrictive pulmonary defect
b. effectiveness of cough
c. presence of obstructive pulmonary defect
d. inspiratory muscle strength - ANS-d. inspiratory muscle strength
An air-entrainment jet nebulizer is set at 50%. The respiratory therapist analyzes the oxygen
coming from the end of the tubing and finds it is 60%. Which of the following most likely explains
this finding?
a. poorly calibrate analyzer
b. excess water in the tubing
c. low flow through the jet orifice
d. leak in the tubing - ANS-b. excess water in the tubing
During a preoperational test of the ventilator with a test lung, the respiratory therapist notes a
return tidal volume of 600 cc. Ventilator settings are:
Mode: Assist/control
FiO2: 0.50
Mandatory rate: 10
VT: 750 mL
What action should the therapist take?
a. examine the ventilator circuit for proper connections
b. obtain a larger test lung
c. increase the set tidal volume to 900 mL
d. obtain a smaller test lung - ANS-a. examine the ventilator circuit for proper connections
During the preoperational test of the ventilator, the respiratory therapist notices the galvanic
analyzer on the ventilator is reading erroneously low. Which of the following can the respiratory
therapist do to correct the problem?
a. replace the analyzer batteries
b. replace the electrolyte solution in the analyzer
c. tag the ventilator as non-functional and avoid placing it in service
d. change the fuel cell - ANS-d. change the fuel cell
Which of the following is most likely to increase nosocomial infection in a hospital?
a. use of an HME for 48 hours
b. poor hand washing among staff
c. frequent disconnection in the ventilator circuit
,d. use of alcohol-based hand cleaners - ANS-b. poor hand washing among staff
While monitoring a patient receiving mechanical ventilation, the respiratory therapist notices the
low-pressure and low exhaled volume alarms are sounding. Which of the following could be the
cause?
a. kinked endotracheal tube
b. disconnected thermistor line
c. excess water in the inspiratory limb of the circuit
d. herniated endotracheal tube cuff - ANS-b. disconnected thermistor line
A patient receiving positive pressure ventilation has a low-pressure alarm sounding. Which of
the following could be the cause?
a. a fracture in the plastic wye
b. herniated cuff
c. excess secretions in the airway
d. kinked ET tube - ANS-a. a fracture in the plastic wye
The high pressure alarm is sounding on a patient receiving volume controlled ventilation. The
respiratory therapist should FIRST
a. provide manual ventilation
b. suction the patient
c. observe the alarm panel to determine source
d. cancel the alarm - ANS-a. provide manual ventilation
Which of the following medications is shown to have sufficient affect when facial muscle
twitching is observed?
a. Halcion
b. Curare (d-turbo curare)
c. Romazicon
d. Anectine (succinylcholine chloride) - ANS-d. Anectine (succinylcholine chloride)
A respiratory therapist is preparing to measure SVC on a patient in the emergency department.
Which of the following equipment is required?
a. Collins water-seal spirometer
b. Geissler tube
c. Wheatstone bridge
d. respirometer - ANS-d. respirometer
A respiratory therapist is asked to determine a patient's inspiratory muscle strength. Which of
the following equipment is required for this evaluation?
a. Fleisch pneumotrachometer
b. pressure manometer
c. respirometer
d. peak flow meter - ANS-b. pressure manometer
, A respiratory therapist is ordered to do a bedside assessment of the effectiveness of a
bronchodilator on a patient with an acute asthmatic episode. Which of the following equipment
will be needed to perform this evaluation?
a. maximum inspiratory pressure manometer
b. peak flow meter
c. Collins water-seal spirometer
d. respirometer - ANS-b. peak flow meter
Which of the following pressures is most consistent with a normal pulmonary artery pressure
(PAP)?
a. 25/8 mmHg
b. 12/8 mmHg
c. 120/80 mmHg
d. 25/4 mmHg - ANS-a. 25/8 mmHg
A patient receiving heliox therapy at 70%/30% mixture by non-rebreathing mask has the
following arterial blood gas results:
pH 7.35 / PaCO2 45 / PaO2 110 / HCO3 24 / BE 0
Which of the following actions is appropriate?
a. change to a heliox mixture of 60%/40%
b. discontinue heliox therapy
c. switch to a partial rebreathing mask
d. change to an 80%/20% heliox mixture - ANS-d. change to an 80%/20% heliox mixture
A COPD patient complains of shortness of breath while exercising with a 2 L/min nasal cannula.
During exercise, SPO2 is noted to fall to 84%. Which of the following would be most helpful to
the patient during exercise?
a. decrease flow to 1 L/min nasal cannula
b. avoid exercising
c. use an air-entrainment mask set at 28%
d. use a non-rebreathing mask - ANS-c. use an air-entrainment mask set at 28%
A patient in the emergency room is receiving oxygen by nasal cannula at 3 L/min. Blood gases
reveal the following:
pH 7.53 / PaCO2 30 / PaO2 51 / HCO3 23 / BE -1
The respiratory therapist should immediately
a. place the patient on a non-rebreathing mask
b. decrease flow to 1 L/min
c. increase flow to 5 L/min
d. place the patient on a Venturi mask at 40% - ANS-a. place the patient on a non-rebreathing
mask
An 80-kg (176-lb) female patient is receiving mechanical ventilation on the following settings:
