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STUDENT WORKBOOK ANSWER KEYS FOR EGAN’S FUNDAMENTALS OF
RESPIRATORY CARE – 12TH EDITION BY KACMAREK,,200 VERIFIED AND
CORRECT ANSWER 100% CORRECT ALREADY GRADED A+
Question 1
A respiratory therapist is preparing to suction a patient through an endotracheal tube What action
should the therapist take to prevent hypoxemia during the procedure
A Pre oxygenate the patient with 40 percent oxygen before suctioning
B Pre oxygenate the patient with 100 percent oxygen before suctioning
C Suction for 20 seconds to ensure secretion removal
D Instill sterile saline before suctioning
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Suctioning removes air from the lungs and can cause oxygen desaturation Pre
oxygenating the patient with 100 percent oxygen increases oxygen stores and prevents
hypoxemia during suctioning Saline instillation and long suction times increase infection and
injury risk
Question 2
A patient on mechanical ventilation suddenly triggers a high pressure alarm with decreased
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exhaled tidal volume What should the respiratory therapist assess first
A Check for leaks in the ventilator circuit
B Inspect for kinking or obstruction of the endotracheal tube
C Adjust the pressure limit setting
D Increase the inspiratory flow rate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A high pressure alarm with low volume usually indicates airway obstruction
from mucus or tube kinking The airway should always be assessed first before making ventilator
changes Ensuring tube patency restores ventilation and protects the patient
Question 3
During chest physiotherapy a patient suddenly reports severe chest pain and shortness of breath
What should the respiratory therapist do first
A Continue therapy and monitor closely
B Stop the procedure and assess for pneumothorax
C Administer a bronchodilator treatment
D Encourage the patient to cough
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sudden dyspnea and pleuritic pain during chest therapy may indicate a
pneumothorax The procedure must stop immediately to prevent further injury Assessment and
notification of the provider are needed for prompt intervention
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Question 4
A patient receiving oxygen via nasal cannula at 6 liters per minute complains of nasal dryness
and headache What should the therapist do
A Add a humidifier to the oxygen delivery system
B Switch to a non rebreather mask
C Reduce the oxygen flow rate to 2 liters
D Discontinue oxygen therapy
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: High flow oxygen delivered through a nasal cannula causes mucosal drying
and irritation Humidification should be added to prevent dryness and improve comfort Lowering
or discontinuing oxygen without reassessment risks hypoxemia
Question 5
A respiratory therapist notices water condensation in the ventilator circuit What is the most
appropriate action
A Drain the water back toward the humidifier
B Drain the water away from the patient into a collection trap
C Leave the water in place to maintain humidity
D Replace the entire circuit immediately
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Condensation should always be drained away from the patient into a
collection trap to prevent accidental aspiration or contamination Returning water to the
humidifier may introduce bacteria and increase infection risk
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Question 6
A patient on continuous pulse oximetry shows an oxygen saturation of 84 percent while
appearing pink and comfortable What should the therapist do first
A Increase the oxygen flow rate
B Verify the probe placement and circulation at the site
C Perform an arterial blood gas test immediately
D Replace the sensor cable
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: False low readings are often due to poor perfusion or misplacement of the
sensor The therapist should check probe accuracy before taking further action ABG analysis is
only indicated if the low reading is confirmed
Question 7
A patient receiving bronchodilator therapy by nebulizer begins to tremble and reports a racing
heartbeat What is the most appropriate action
A Continue treatment and reassure the patient
B Stop the treatment and notify the provider
C Increase oxygen flow during the treatment
D Give a higher bronchodilator dose
Correct Answer: B
STUDENT WORKBOOK ANSWER KEYS FOR EGAN’S FUNDAMENTALS OF
RESPIRATORY CARE – 12TH EDITION BY KACMAREK,,200 VERIFIED AND
CORRECT ANSWER 100% CORRECT ALREADY GRADED A+
Question 1
A respiratory therapist is preparing to suction a patient through an endotracheal tube What action
should the therapist take to prevent hypoxemia during the procedure
A Pre oxygenate the patient with 40 percent oxygen before suctioning
B Pre oxygenate the patient with 100 percent oxygen before suctioning
C Suction for 20 seconds to ensure secretion removal
D Instill sterile saline before suctioning
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Suctioning removes air from the lungs and can cause oxygen desaturation Pre
oxygenating the patient with 100 percent oxygen increases oxygen stores and prevents
hypoxemia during suctioning Saline instillation and long suction times increase infection and
injury risk
Question 2
A patient on mechanical ventilation suddenly triggers a high pressure alarm with decreased
, 2
exhaled tidal volume What should the respiratory therapist assess first
A Check for leaks in the ventilator circuit
B Inspect for kinking or obstruction of the endotracheal tube
C Adjust the pressure limit setting
D Increase the inspiratory flow rate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A high pressure alarm with low volume usually indicates airway obstruction
from mucus or tube kinking The airway should always be assessed first before making ventilator
changes Ensuring tube patency restores ventilation and protects the patient
Question 3
During chest physiotherapy a patient suddenly reports severe chest pain and shortness of breath
What should the respiratory therapist do first
A Continue therapy and monitor closely
B Stop the procedure and assess for pneumothorax
C Administer a bronchodilator treatment
D Encourage the patient to cough
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sudden dyspnea and pleuritic pain during chest therapy may indicate a
pneumothorax The procedure must stop immediately to prevent further injury Assessment and
notification of the provider are needed for prompt intervention
, 3
Question 4
A patient receiving oxygen via nasal cannula at 6 liters per minute complains of nasal dryness
and headache What should the therapist do
A Add a humidifier to the oxygen delivery system
B Switch to a non rebreather mask
C Reduce the oxygen flow rate to 2 liters
D Discontinue oxygen therapy
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: High flow oxygen delivered through a nasal cannula causes mucosal drying
and irritation Humidification should be added to prevent dryness and improve comfort Lowering
or discontinuing oxygen without reassessment risks hypoxemia
Question 5
A respiratory therapist notices water condensation in the ventilator circuit What is the most
appropriate action
A Drain the water back toward the humidifier
B Drain the water away from the patient into a collection trap
C Leave the water in place to maintain humidity
D Replace the entire circuit immediately
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Condensation should always be drained away from the patient into a
collection trap to prevent accidental aspiration or contamination Returning water to the
humidifier may introduce bacteria and increase infection risk
, 4
Question 6
A patient on continuous pulse oximetry shows an oxygen saturation of 84 percent while
appearing pink and comfortable What should the therapist do first
A Increase the oxygen flow rate
B Verify the probe placement and circulation at the site
C Perform an arterial blood gas test immediately
D Replace the sensor cable
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: False low readings are often due to poor perfusion or misplacement of the
sensor The therapist should check probe accuracy before taking further action ABG analysis is
only indicated if the low reading is confirmed
Question 7
A patient receiving bronchodilator therapy by nebulizer begins to tremble and reports a racing
heartbeat What is the most appropriate action
A Continue treatment and reassure the patient
B Stop the treatment and notify the provider
C Increase oxygen flow during the treatment
D Give a higher bronchodilator dose
Correct Answer: B
