1
NBRC PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH CERTIFIED SOLUTIONS.
GENUINE EXAM 2025/2026
Name the 4 life functions IN ORDER - 100 correct answer
as-1. Oxygenation - moving air in & out of the lungs
2. Ventilation - getting oxygen into the blood
3. Circulation - moving blood throughout the body
4. Perfusion - getting oxygen to the tissues/organs
Calculate number of pack years for this patient.
2 packs/day for 30 years. - 100 correct answer as-50 pack
years. (# of packs x # of years smoking)
What is an advanced directive? - 100 correct answer as-
Instructions documenting what treatment plan a patient prefers in
the case that they are unable to make their own medical
decisions.
DEFINE DNR and DNI - 100 correct answer as-DNR - Do
Not Resuscitate
DNI - Do Not Intubate
What are the 5 Rights to administering medication? - 100
correct answer as-1. Right patient
2. Right medication
3. Right time
4. Right dose
5. Right route
, 2
What is the normal daily urine output? - 100 correct answer
as-40mL / hr.
Define orthopnea and platypnea. - 100 correct answer as-
Orthopnea - difficulty breathing when laying flat
Platypnea - difficulty breathing when standing upright
Define dysphagia - 100 correct answer as-Difficulty
swallowing.
What is peripheral edema, how is it rated? - 100 correct
answer as-Presence of excess fluid accumulating in the arms /
legs / ankles.
Rated as +1 , +2, +3 (the higher the number, the more swelling
there is)
What is ascites? How can it affect breathing? - 100 correct
answer as-Accumulation of fluid in the abdomen usually caused
by excessive alcohol consumption / liver failure.
Too much fluid can cause increased pressure on the diaphragm
restricting movement and pushing fluid into the pleural spaces
causing pleural effusions.
What is clubbing and what does it indicate? - 100 correct
answer as-Clubbing is abnormal enlargement and rounding
seen in the fingertips.
This indicates the patient has a condition causing chronic
hypoxemia
What is jugular venous distention (JVD)? - 100 correct
answer as-Seen in patients heart / blood vessel condition such
, 3
as those with CHF or COPD patients during exhalation. Indicates
a problem with the heart properly pumping.
What can be understood about capillary refill? How can it be
done? - 100 correct answer as-Allows for adequate
peripheral circulation to become visible.
By blanching the hand (ex: Allen's Test) and watching for the
color to return.
*LACK OF COLOR RETURN IN 3 SECONDS OR LESS
INDICATES PROBLEM W/ THE CIRCULATION.
Define Diaphoresis, what may it indicate? - 100 correct
answer as-State of profuse sweating.
May indicate fever/infection, anxiety, difficulty breathing,
TB/Bronchitis (will have NIGHT sweats).
Identify issues relating to:
1. Pale / lack of color
2. Jaundice
3. Erythema
4. Cyanosis - 100 correct answer as-1. Pale / lack of color -
may be due to anemia, blood loss, vasoconstriction (decreased
blood flow)
2. Jaundice - indicates increased bilirubin in blood and tissue
often caused by liver failure or an infection. Commonly visible in
the face/ eyes and trunk.
3. Erythema - redness/ flushing of the skin signaling capillary
congestion, inflammation or infection.
4. Cyanosis - blue discoloration of skin and mucous membranes
(inside of mouth/nares) caused by hypoxemia / reduced
hemoglobin.
Define
1. Kyphosis
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2. Scoliosis
3. Kyphoscoliosis - 100 correct answer as-1. Kyphosis -
spinal curvature causing appearance of "leaning forward"
2. Scoliosis - spinal curvature creating an "S" shape
3. Kyphoscoliosis - combination of kyphosis and scoliosis causing
a restrictive condition (reduce lung vol)
What is barrel chest? When is it seen? - 100 correct answer
as-Barrel chest is the distention of the diaphragm being pushed
outwards away from the spine. This is often seen in patients with
prolonged air trapping such as in the case of emphysema /
COPD.
What is symmetrical chest movement? What can asymmetrical
chest movement indicate? - 100 correct answer as-
Symmetrical chest movement - Occurs as one naturally breathes,
both sides of the chest rise and fall simultaneously as the
abdomen moves out and diaphragm descends during inspiration
and the thorax moves upward and outward.
Asymmetrical chest movement - Seen when there is lack of
movement on one side of the chest or any unequal chest
movement. This is cause for concern and commonly related to
pneumothorax, atelectasis, flail chest, right main stem intubation,
post pneumonectomy.
Define Apnea and Eupnea - 100 correct answer as-Apnea -
absence of breathing
Eupnea - normal breathing
What is a normal respiratory rate for an adult?
What is the term for a fast rate? Slow rate? - 100 correct
answer as-Normal - 12 to 20 bpm
Too fast: Tachypnea - over 20 bpm
NBRC PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH CERTIFIED SOLUTIONS.
GENUINE EXAM 2025/2026
Name the 4 life functions IN ORDER - 100 correct answer
as-1. Oxygenation - moving air in & out of the lungs
2. Ventilation - getting oxygen into the blood
3. Circulation - moving blood throughout the body
4. Perfusion - getting oxygen to the tissues/organs
Calculate number of pack years for this patient.
2 packs/day for 30 years. - 100 correct answer as-50 pack
years. (# of packs x # of years smoking)
What is an advanced directive? - 100 correct answer as-
Instructions documenting what treatment plan a patient prefers in
the case that they are unable to make their own medical
decisions.
DEFINE DNR and DNI - 100 correct answer as-DNR - Do
Not Resuscitate
DNI - Do Not Intubate
What are the 5 Rights to administering medication? - 100
correct answer as-1. Right patient
2. Right medication
3. Right time
4. Right dose
5. Right route
, 2
What is the normal daily urine output? - 100 correct answer
as-40mL / hr.
Define orthopnea and platypnea. - 100 correct answer as-
Orthopnea - difficulty breathing when laying flat
Platypnea - difficulty breathing when standing upright
Define dysphagia - 100 correct answer as-Difficulty
swallowing.
What is peripheral edema, how is it rated? - 100 correct
answer as-Presence of excess fluid accumulating in the arms /
legs / ankles.
Rated as +1 , +2, +3 (the higher the number, the more swelling
there is)
What is ascites? How can it affect breathing? - 100 correct
answer as-Accumulation of fluid in the abdomen usually caused
by excessive alcohol consumption / liver failure.
Too much fluid can cause increased pressure on the diaphragm
restricting movement and pushing fluid into the pleural spaces
causing pleural effusions.
What is clubbing and what does it indicate? - 100 correct
answer as-Clubbing is abnormal enlargement and rounding
seen in the fingertips.
This indicates the patient has a condition causing chronic
hypoxemia
What is jugular venous distention (JVD)? - 100 correct
answer as-Seen in patients heart / blood vessel condition such
, 3
as those with CHF or COPD patients during exhalation. Indicates
a problem with the heart properly pumping.
What can be understood about capillary refill? How can it be
done? - 100 correct answer as-Allows for adequate
peripheral circulation to become visible.
By blanching the hand (ex: Allen's Test) and watching for the
color to return.
*LACK OF COLOR RETURN IN 3 SECONDS OR LESS
INDICATES PROBLEM W/ THE CIRCULATION.
Define Diaphoresis, what may it indicate? - 100 correct
answer as-State of profuse sweating.
May indicate fever/infection, anxiety, difficulty breathing,
TB/Bronchitis (will have NIGHT sweats).
Identify issues relating to:
1. Pale / lack of color
2. Jaundice
3. Erythema
4. Cyanosis - 100 correct answer as-1. Pale / lack of color -
may be due to anemia, blood loss, vasoconstriction (decreased
blood flow)
2. Jaundice - indicates increased bilirubin in blood and tissue
often caused by liver failure or an infection. Commonly visible in
the face/ eyes and trunk.
3. Erythema - redness/ flushing of the skin signaling capillary
congestion, inflammation or infection.
4. Cyanosis - blue discoloration of skin and mucous membranes
(inside of mouth/nares) caused by hypoxemia / reduced
hemoglobin.
Define
1. Kyphosis
, 4
2. Scoliosis
3. Kyphoscoliosis - 100 correct answer as-1. Kyphosis -
spinal curvature causing appearance of "leaning forward"
2. Scoliosis - spinal curvature creating an "S" shape
3. Kyphoscoliosis - combination of kyphosis and scoliosis causing
a restrictive condition (reduce lung vol)
What is barrel chest? When is it seen? - 100 correct answer
as-Barrel chest is the distention of the diaphragm being pushed
outwards away from the spine. This is often seen in patients with
prolonged air trapping such as in the case of emphysema /
COPD.
What is symmetrical chest movement? What can asymmetrical
chest movement indicate? - 100 correct answer as-
Symmetrical chest movement - Occurs as one naturally breathes,
both sides of the chest rise and fall simultaneously as the
abdomen moves out and diaphragm descends during inspiration
and the thorax moves upward and outward.
Asymmetrical chest movement - Seen when there is lack of
movement on one side of the chest or any unequal chest
movement. This is cause for concern and commonly related to
pneumothorax, atelectasis, flail chest, right main stem intubation,
post pneumonectomy.
Define Apnea and Eupnea - 100 correct answer as-Apnea -
absence of breathing
Eupnea - normal breathing
What is a normal respiratory rate for an adult?
What is the term for a fast rate? Slow rate? - 100 correct
answer as-Normal - 12 to 20 bpm
Too fast: Tachypnea - over 20 bpm
