FULL REVIEW CRT/RRT (NBRC)
Questions and Correct Answers
Ascites Ans: accumulation of fluid in the abdomen caused by
LIVER FAILURE
Venous distention Ans: -occurs with CHF
-seen with obstructive patients (seen in exhalation phase)
Capillary refill Ans: -indication of peripheral circulation
-Normal < 3 seconds
Jaundice skin color Ans: -increase in bilirubin.
-mostly in face and trunk
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
Bradypnea (oligopnea) Ans: -decreased respiratory rate (<12bpm)
variable depth and irregular rhythm
Hyperpnea Ans: -increased rate, depth, with regular rhythm
Cheyne-Stokes Ans: -gradually increasing then decreasing rate
and depth in a cycle lasting from 30 - 180 secs, with apnea up to
60 secs
-increased ICP, meningitis, overdose
Biots Ans: -increased rate and depth with irregular periods of
apnea
-CNS problem, head/brain injury
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 3 | Page
Kussmaul's Ans: -increased rate, depth, irregular rhythm,
breathing sounds labored
-Raspy voice
Apneustic Ans: prolonged gasping inspiration followed by
extremely short, insufficient expiration
-respiratory center problems, trauma, tumor
cachectic Ans: muscle atrophy/loss of muscle tone
retractions Ans: -chest moves inward during inspiratory efforts
instead of outward
-blocked airway in adults = INTUBATE
-RDS in infants
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 4 | Page
Character of cough Ans: -dry, non-productive cough may indicate
tumor in the lungs or asthma
-productive cough may indicate infection
evidence of difficult airway Ans: -short receding mandible (chin)
-enlarged tongue (macroglossia)
-bull neck
-limited neck range-of-motion
pulsus paradoxus Ans: -pulse/blood pressure varies with
respiration. may indicate severe air trapping (status asthmaticus or
cardiac tamponade)
tactile fremitus Ans: -vibrations felt by hand on chest wall
-vocal fremitus: voice vibrations on the chest wall
© 2025 All rights reserved