TMC EXAM A Questions and Answers
Graded A+
A 48 year-old female is admitted to the ED with diaphoresis, jugular venous
distension, and 3+ pitting edema in the ankles. These findings are consistent with -
Correct answer-heart failure
A patient is admitted to the ED following a motor vehicle accident. On physical
exam, the respiratory therapist discovers that breath sounds are absent in the left
chest with a hyperresonant percussion note. The trachea is shifted to the right. The
patient's heart rate is 45/min, respiratory rate is 30/min, and blood pressure is 60/40
mm Hg. What action should the therapist recommend first? - Correct answer-
Needle aspirate the 2nd left intercostal space
All of the following strategies are likely to decrease the likelihood of damage to
the tracheal mucosa EXCEPT - Correct answer-using a low residual volume, low
compliance cuff
A 52 year-old post-operative cholecystectomy patient's breath sounds become more
coarse upon completion of postural drainage with percussion. The respiratory
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,therapist should recommend - Correct answer-deep breathing & coughing to clear
secretions
A 65 kg spinal cord injured patient develops atelectasis. His inspiratory capacity is
30% of his predicted value. What bronchial hygiene therapy would be most
appropriate initially? - Correct answer-IPPB
A healthy adult female can exhale what portion of her forced vital capacity in the
first second? - Correct answer-70%
A patient on VC ventilation demonstrates auto-PEEP on ventilator graphics. Which
of the following controls, when adjusted independently, would increase expiratory
time?
1. Tidal volume
2. respiratory rate
3. inspiratory flow
4. sensitivity - Correct answer-1, 2, and 3 only
Which of the following would be the most appropriate therapy for a dyspneic
patient who has crepitus with tracheal deviation to the left and absent breath
sounds on the right? - Correct answer-insert a chest tube
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
,Following cardiac surgery, a 55 year-old patient has the following ABG results: pH
7.50, PaCO2 30 torr, PaO2 62 torr, HCO3 25 mEq/L, SaO2 92%, HB 14 g/dL, BE
+2. Venous blood gas results are pH 7.39, PvCO2 43 torr, PvO2 37 torr, and SvO2
66%. Calculate the patient's C(a-v)O2. - Correct answer-5.0 vol %
A patient on VC, SIMV with a VT of 500 mL has a PIP of 25 cm H2O, Pplat of 15
cm H2O and PEEP of 5 cm H2O. What is the patient's static lung compliance? -
Correct answer-50 mL/cm H2O
Immediately after extubation of a patient in the ICU, the respiratory therapist
observes increasing respiratory distress with intercostal retractions and marked
stridor. The SpO2 on 40% oxygen is noted to be 76%. Which of the following
would be most appropriate at this time? - Correct answer-Reintubation
Which of the following patients would most likely benefit from pressure support
ventilation? - Correct answer-A patient on SIMV with a mandatory rate of 12/min
and total rate of 24/min.
A patient receiving mechanical ventilation has developed a temperature of 99.9° F
with purulent secretions over the last 12 hours. The respiratory therapist has also
noted a steady increase in peak inspiratory pressure. What initial recommendation
should be made to address these changes? - Correct answer-obtain a sputum gram
stain
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
, Which of the following information may be obtained from a FVC maneuver during
bedside pulmonary function testing?
1. FEV1
2. PEFR
3. FRC
4. RV - Correct answer-1 & 2 only
The respiratory therapist provides education for a patient who is being discharged
home on aerosol therapy. The most important reason for the patient to follow the
recommended cleaning procedures using a vinegar/water solution is that this
solution will - Correct answer-retard bacterial growth
A patient who complains of dyspnea is noted to have a dry, non-productive cough.
On physical examination, breath sounds are diminished on the right, tactile
fremitus is decreased and there is dullness to percussion over the right lower lobe.
The respiratory therapist should suspect that the patient is suffering from - Correct
answer-pleural effusion
Which of the following suction catheters would be appropriate to use for a patient
with a size 8.0 mm ID endotracheal tube? - Correct answer-12 Fr
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 4
Graded A+
A 48 year-old female is admitted to the ED with diaphoresis, jugular venous
distension, and 3+ pitting edema in the ankles. These findings are consistent with -
Correct answer-heart failure
A patient is admitted to the ED following a motor vehicle accident. On physical
exam, the respiratory therapist discovers that breath sounds are absent in the left
chest with a hyperresonant percussion note. The trachea is shifted to the right. The
patient's heart rate is 45/min, respiratory rate is 30/min, and blood pressure is 60/40
mm Hg. What action should the therapist recommend first? - Correct answer-
Needle aspirate the 2nd left intercostal space
All of the following strategies are likely to decrease the likelihood of damage to
the tracheal mucosa EXCEPT - Correct answer-using a low residual volume, low
compliance cuff
A 52 year-old post-operative cholecystectomy patient's breath sounds become more
coarse upon completion of postural drainage with percussion. The respiratory
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,therapist should recommend - Correct answer-deep breathing & coughing to clear
secretions
A 65 kg spinal cord injured patient develops atelectasis. His inspiratory capacity is
30% of his predicted value. What bronchial hygiene therapy would be most
appropriate initially? - Correct answer-IPPB
A healthy adult female can exhale what portion of her forced vital capacity in the
first second? - Correct answer-70%
A patient on VC ventilation demonstrates auto-PEEP on ventilator graphics. Which
of the following controls, when adjusted independently, would increase expiratory
time?
1. Tidal volume
2. respiratory rate
3. inspiratory flow
4. sensitivity - Correct answer-1, 2, and 3 only
Which of the following would be the most appropriate therapy for a dyspneic
patient who has crepitus with tracheal deviation to the left and absent breath
sounds on the right? - Correct answer-insert a chest tube
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
,Following cardiac surgery, a 55 year-old patient has the following ABG results: pH
7.50, PaCO2 30 torr, PaO2 62 torr, HCO3 25 mEq/L, SaO2 92%, HB 14 g/dL, BE
+2. Venous blood gas results are pH 7.39, PvCO2 43 torr, PvO2 37 torr, and SvO2
66%. Calculate the patient's C(a-v)O2. - Correct answer-5.0 vol %
A patient on VC, SIMV with a VT of 500 mL has a PIP of 25 cm H2O, Pplat of 15
cm H2O and PEEP of 5 cm H2O. What is the patient's static lung compliance? -
Correct answer-50 mL/cm H2O
Immediately after extubation of a patient in the ICU, the respiratory therapist
observes increasing respiratory distress with intercostal retractions and marked
stridor. The SpO2 on 40% oxygen is noted to be 76%. Which of the following
would be most appropriate at this time? - Correct answer-Reintubation
Which of the following patients would most likely benefit from pressure support
ventilation? - Correct answer-A patient on SIMV with a mandatory rate of 12/min
and total rate of 24/min.
A patient receiving mechanical ventilation has developed a temperature of 99.9° F
with purulent secretions over the last 12 hours. The respiratory therapist has also
noted a steady increase in peak inspiratory pressure. What initial recommendation
should be made to address these changes? - Correct answer-obtain a sputum gram
stain
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
, Which of the following information may be obtained from a FVC maneuver during
bedside pulmonary function testing?
1. FEV1
2. PEFR
3. FRC
4. RV - Correct answer-1 & 2 only
The respiratory therapist provides education for a patient who is being discharged
home on aerosol therapy. The most important reason for the patient to follow the
recommended cleaning procedures using a vinegar/water solution is that this
solution will - Correct answer-retard bacterial growth
A patient who complains of dyspnea is noted to have a dry, non-productive cough.
On physical examination, breath sounds are diminished on the right, tactile
fremitus is decreased and there is dullness to percussion over the right lower lobe.
The respiratory therapist should suspect that the patient is suffering from - Correct
answer-pleural effusion
Which of the following suction catheters would be appropriate to use for a patient
with a size 8.0 mm ID endotracheal tube? - Correct answer-12 Fr
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 4
