NBRC TMC Exam-Y, NBRC TMC Exam-O Questions and Correct Answer
1. Quality control material has published values for pH of 7.30, PO2 of 85 mm
Hg. Documentation indicates the range of pH is 0.5% and is 3% for PO2.
Machine results are as follows:
pH PO2 (mmHg)
Run 1 7.33 83
Run 2 7.25 86
Run 3 7.29 80
Which quality control runs indicate the machine is out of control?
A. 2 and 3
B. 1, 2, and 3
C. 1 and 2
D. 1 and 3: The correct answer is : A
2. Quality control data for an arterial blood gas analyzer is plotted on a graph
that has a range of 4 standard deviations (2 SD up and 2 SD down). Points on
the graph show a gradual rise from below the mean to above the mean. All
points are within 2 SD of the mean. The respiratory supervisor should
A. remove this machine from service
B. call the medical director for direction
C. monitor this machine closely
D. replace the electrodes: The correct answer is : C
3. The sudden sounding of a high-pressure ventilator alarm is noted on a patient
receiving volume controlled mechanical ventilation. The respiratory therapist
notes the endotracheal tube is at 27 cm at the teeth and that breath sounds
are absent when auscultating the left hemithorax. The therapist should imme-
diately
A. withdraw the endotracheal tube until breath sounds are bilateral
B. advance the endotracheal tube until breath sounds can be auscultated over
the left chest
, NBRC TMC Exam-Y, NBRC TMC Exam-O Questions and Correct Answer
C. prepare for insertion of chest tubes in the left thorax
D. check the air pressure of the tube cuff: The correct answer is : A
4. Which of the following ventilator circuit change frequencies is important to
minimize nosocomial infections among patients receiving mechanical ventila-
tion?
A. every 14 days
B. monthly
C. daily
D. when soiled: The correct answer is : D
5. In which of the following situations should an HME be replaced with heated
humidity?
A. afebrile conditions
B. presence of thick secretions
C. patient has asthma
D. patient is hyperthermic: The correct answer is : B
6. Which of the following should be monitored for a ventilator-dependent new-
born with IRDS?
A. urine specific gravity
B. fluid input and output
C. pH
D. gas distribution (SBN2) in the lungs: The correct answer is : B
7. A written teaching plan for a pediatric patient with chronic asthma should
include
5
A. PEFR monitoring and proper MDI use
B. determination of oxygen saturation
C. titration of oxygen
D. proper titration of bronchodilator dosage: The correct answer is : A
, NBRC TMC Exam-Y, NBRC TMC Exam-O Questions and Correct Answer
8. Which of the following is needed to calculate minute alveolar ventilation?
A. tidal volume, weight, respiratory rate
B. C(a-v)O2 and VT
C. PAO2 and tidal volume
D. VD/VT and PAO2: The correct answer is : A
9. A female patient who is morbidly obese has an 8.0 mm tracheostomy tube.
She has been placed on an ulcer prevention mattress in the Intensive Care
Unit. Following transport to the new bed, the nurse calls a respiratory therapist
to assess her because she is complaining of air hunger. Diffuse dry crackles
are auscultated with crepitus noted upon palpation. These findings are most
closely associated with
A. secretions in the airway
B. pneumothorax
C. atelectasis
D. subcutaneous emphysema: The correct answer is : D
10. When inspecting the X-ray of an outpatient with nephrotic syndrome,
you note a homogeneous area of increased density that obscures the left
costophrenic angle. Which of the following is the most likely problem?
A. Pleural effusion
B. Bacterial pneumonia
C. Pulmonary edema
D. Atelectasis: The correct answer is : A
11. A patient has a serum potassium level of 3.5 mEq/L. Which of the following
diuretic would you recommend for this patient?
A. Amiloride (Midamor)
B. Chlorothiazide (Diuril)
C. Quinnethazone (Hydromax)
D. Acetazolamide (Diamox): The correct answer is : A
, NBRC TMC Exam-Y, NBRC TMC Exam-O Questions and Correct Answer
12. Which pH level is expected for a COPD patient having an acute on chronic
exacerbation?
A. 7.35
B. 7.49
C. 7.44
D. 7.30: The correct answer is : C
13. A patient with a history of asthma reports to the emergency department
after self-treating bronchoconstriction for the past 3 days. Periodic relief has
been achieved but the patient is in current distress and is wheezing bilaterally.
Which of the following treatment actions would be most appropriate?
A. administer Sublimaze, PO
B. continuous aerosolized bronchodilator at 7 mg/hr
C. sildenafil, IV
D. full pulmonary function testing with DLCO measurement: The correct answer is : B
14. While performing routine oxygen rounds, the respiratory therapist notes a
COPD patient who is receiving supplemental oxygen at 2 L/min is markedly
cyanotic and has a heart rate of 30/min. The therapist should FIRST
A. increase flow to 4 L/min by nasal cannula
B. obtain an arterial blood gas
C. go get help
D. switch to FIO2 1.0: The correct answer is : D
15. An oxygen-dependent COPD patient is brought to the emergency room on
4 L/min oxygen by nasal cannula. From the paramedic documentation it is
observed that respiratory rate has changed from 30 to 18 bpm. Heart rate has
decreased from 120 to 90. Saturation is 92% and the patient's color has also
improved. The therapist should do which of the following?
A. decrease flow to 1 lpm
B. discontinue oxygen therapy
C. maintain current therapy
D. switch to a partial rebreathing mask: The correct answer is : A
16. A respiratory therapist is having difficulty advancing a suction catheter down
a fenestrated tracheostomy tube while the inner cannula is removed. The
1. Quality control material has published values for pH of 7.30, PO2 of 85 mm
Hg. Documentation indicates the range of pH is 0.5% and is 3% for PO2.
Machine results are as follows:
pH PO2 (mmHg)
Run 1 7.33 83
Run 2 7.25 86
Run 3 7.29 80
Which quality control runs indicate the machine is out of control?
A. 2 and 3
B. 1, 2, and 3
C. 1 and 2
D. 1 and 3: The correct answer is : A
2. Quality control data for an arterial blood gas analyzer is plotted on a graph
that has a range of 4 standard deviations (2 SD up and 2 SD down). Points on
the graph show a gradual rise from below the mean to above the mean. All
points are within 2 SD of the mean. The respiratory supervisor should
A. remove this machine from service
B. call the medical director for direction
C. monitor this machine closely
D. replace the electrodes: The correct answer is : C
3. The sudden sounding of a high-pressure ventilator alarm is noted on a patient
receiving volume controlled mechanical ventilation. The respiratory therapist
notes the endotracheal tube is at 27 cm at the teeth and that breath sounds
are absent when auscultating the left hemithorax. The therapist should imme-
diately
A. withdraw the endotracheal tube until breath sounds are bilateral
B. advance the endotracheal tube until breath sounds can be auscultated over
the left chest
, NBRC TMC Exam-Y, NBRC TMC Exam-O Questions and Correct Answer
C. prepare for insertion of chest tubes in the left thorax
D. check the air pressure of the tube cuff: The correct answer is : A
4. Which of the following ventilator circuit change frequencies is important to
minimize nosocomial infections among patients receiving mechanical ventila-
tion?
A. every 14 days
B. monthly
C. daily
D. when soiled: The correct answer is : D
5. In which of the following situations should an HME be replaced with heated
humidity?
A. afebrile conditions
B. presence of thick secretions
C. patient has asthma
D. patient is hyperthermic: The correct answer is : B
6. Which of the following should be monitored for a ventilator-dependent new-
born with IRDS?
A. urine specific gravity
B. fluid input and output
C. pH
D. gas distribution (SBN2) in the lungs: The correct answer is : B
7. A written teaching plan for a pediatric patient with chronic asthma should
include
5
A. PEFR monitoring and proper MDI use
B. determination of oxygen saturation
C. titration of oxygen
D. proper titration of bronchodilator dosage: The correct answer is : A
, NBRC TMC Exam-Y, NBRC TMC Exam-O Questions and Correct Answer
8. Which of the following is needed to calculate minute alveolar ventilation?
A. tidal volume, weight, respiratory rate
B. C(a-v)O2 and VT
C. PAO2 and tidal volume
D. VD/VT and PAO2: The correct answer is : A
9. A female patient who is morbidly obese has an 8.0 mm tracheostomy tube.
She has been placed on an ulcer prevention mattress in the Intensive Care
Unit. Following transport to the new bed, the nurse calls a respiratory therapist
to assess her because she is complaining of air hunger. Diffuse dry crackles
are auscultated with crepitus noted upon palpation. These findings are most
closely associated with
A. secretions in the airway
B. pneumothorax
C. atelectasis
D. subcutaneous emphysema: The correct answer is : D
10. When inspecting the X-ray of an outpatient with nephrotic syndrome,
you note a homogeneous area of increased density that obscures the left
costophrenic angle. Which of the following is the most likely problem?
A. Pleural effusion
B. Bacterial pneumonia
C. Pulmonary edema
D. Atelectasis: The correct answer is : A
11. A patient has a serum potassium level of 3.5 mEq/L. Which of the following
diuretic would you recommend for this patient?
A. Amiloride (Midamor)
B. Chlorothiazide (Diuril)
C. Quinnethazone (Hydromax)
D. Acetazolamide (Diamox): The correct answer is : A
, NBRC TMC Exam-Y, NBRC TMC Exam-O Questions and Correct Answer
12. Which pH level is expected for a COPD patient having an acute on chronic
exacerbation?
A. 7.35
B. 7.49
C. 7.44
D. 7.30: The correct answer is : C
13. A patient with a history of asthma reports to the emergency department
after self-treating bronchoconstriction for the past 3 days. Periodic relief has
been achieved but the patient is in current distress and is wheezing bilaterally.
Which of the following treatment actions would be most appropriate?
A. administer Sublimaze, PO
B. continuous aerosolized bronchodilator at 7 mg/hr
C. sildenafil, IV
D. full pulmonary function testing with DLCO measurement: The correct answer is : B
14. While performing routine oxygen rounds, the respiratory therapist notes a
COPD patient who is receiving supplemental oxygen at 2 L/min is markedly
cyanotic and has a heart rate of 30/min. The therapist should FIRST
A. increase flow to 4 L/min by nasal cannula
B. obtain an arterial blood gas
C. go get help
D. switch to FIO2 1.0: The correct answer is : D
15. An oxygen-dependent COPD patient is brought to the emergency room on
4 L/min oxygen by nasal cannula. From the paramedic documentation it is
observed that respiratory rate has changed from 30 to 18 bpm. Heart rate has
decreased from 120 to 90. Saturation is 92% and the patient's color has also
improved. The therapist should do which of the following?
A. decrease flow to 1 lpm
B. discontinue oxygen therapy
C. maintain current therapy
D. switch to a partial rebreathing mask: The correct answer is : A
16. A respiratory therapist is having difficulty advancing a suction catheter down
a fenestrated tracheostomy tube while the inner cannula is removed. The
