TEXAS RESPIRATORY THERAPIST
SPECIALTY EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A
| INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A 65-year-old COPD patient has an SpO₂ of 88% on room
air. The safest immediate action is:
A. Increase activity level
B. Increase supplemental oxygen to raise SpO₂ to ≥92%
C. Start inhaled corticosteroids immediately
D. Give high-flow nebulized saline
Rationale: Supplemental oxygen is indicated to correct
hypoxemia; target for most COPD patients is usually 88–
92% to avoid CO₂ retention, but immediate correction to
≥92% is acceptable in many acute settings.
2. Which artery is most commonly used for arterial blood gas
sampling?
A. Femoral artery
B. Brachial artery
C. Radial artery
, D. Ulnar artery
Rationale: Radial artery is preferred due to accessibility
and collateral circulation (Allen test recommended).
3. A patient on volume-control mechanical ventilation
develops hypotension after increasing tidal volume. The
most likely cause is:
A. Increased cardiac output
B. Increased intrathoracic pressure causing decreased
venous return
C. Bronchospasm
D. Hypovolemia unrelated to ventilation change
Rationale: Higher tidal volumes raise intrathoracic
pressure which can reduce venous return and cardiac
output leading to hypotension.
4. Which of the following best describes obstructive lung
disease on spirometry?
A. Reduced TLC, normal FEV₁/FVC
B. Reduced FEV₁/FVC ratio
C. Increased DLCO
D. Increased FEV₁/FVC ratio
Rationale: Obstructive disease is characterized by a
decreased FEV₁/FVC due to airflow limitation.
5. The primary pharmacologic action of albuterol is:
A. Anticholinergic bronchodilation
, B. Mucolysis
C. β₂-agonist bronchodilation
D. Corticosteroid anti-inflammatory effect
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting β₂-agonist that
relaxes bronchial smooth muscle, producing
bronchodilation.
6. For nebulized medication delivery, which patient factor
most increases deposition in the lower airways?
A. Rapid inspiratory flow
B. Slow, deep inhalation with breath-hold
C. Shallow breathing
D. Mouth breathing only
Rationale: Slow, deep inhalation with a breath-hold
increases particle sedimentation and lower airway
deposition.
7. A ventilator waveforms monitor shows a sudden drop in
exhaled tidal volume with high peak pressures. First action:
A. Decrease FiO₂
B. Check for airway obstruction (kinked tube, secretions,
biting)
C. Increase PEEP
D. Immediately extubate
Rationale: Sudden high pressures and low volumes
, suggest increased airway resistance or obstruction; check
ETT and circuit first.
8. Which gas law explains the relationship between pressure
and volume of a fixed amount of gas at constant
temperature?
A. Charles’s law
B. Dalton’s law
C. Boyle’s law
D. Henry’s law
Rationale: Boyle’s law states that pressure and volume
are inversely related at constant temperature.
9. Normal adult PaCO₂ range is approximately:
A. 10–20 mm Hg
B. 35–45 mm Hg
C. 50–60 mm Hg
D. 70–90 mm Hg
Rationale: Arterial carbon dioxide tension normally lies
between ~35 and 45 mm Hg.
10. Which device provides the most precise FiO₂ to a
patient spontaneously breathing?
A. Simple mask
B. Nonrebreather mask
C. Nasal cannula
D. Venturi mask (air-entrainment device)
SPECIALTY EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A
| INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A 65-year-old COPD patient has an SpO₂ of 88% on room
air. The safest immediate action is:
A. Increase activity level
B. Increase supplemental oxygen to raise SpO₂ to ≥92%
C. Start inhaled corticosteroids immediately
D. Give high-flow nebulized saline
Rationale: Supplemental oxygen is indicated to correct
hypoxemia; target for most COPD patients is usually 88–
92% to avoid CO₂ retention, but immediate correction to
≥92% is acceptable in many acute settings.
2. Which artery is most commonly used for arterial blood gas
sampling?
A. Femoral artery
B. Brachial artery
C. Radial artery
, D. Ulnar artery
Rationale: Radial artery is preferred due to accessibility
and collateral circulation (Allen test recommended).
3. A patient on volume-control mechanical ventilation
develops hypotension after increasing tidal volume. The
most likely cause is:
A. Increased cardiac output
B. Increased intrathoracic pressure causing decreased
venous return
C. Bronchospasm
D. Hypovolemia unrelated to ventilation change
Rationale: Higher tidal volumes raise intrathoracic
pressure which can reduce venous return and cardiac
output leading to hypotension.
4. Which of the following best describes obstructive lung
disease on spirometry?
A. Reduced TLC, normal FEV₁/FVC
B. Reduced FEV₁/FVC ratio
C. Increased DLCO
D. Increased FEV₁/FVC ratio
Rationale: Obstructive disease is characterized by a
decreased FEV₁/FVC due to airflow limitation.
5. The primary pharmacologic action of albuterol is:
A. Anticholinergic bronchodilation
, B. Mucolysis
C. β₂-agonist bronchodilation
D. Corticosteroid anti-inflammatory effect
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting β₂-agonist that
relaxes bronchial smooth muscle, producing
bronchodilation.
6. For nebulized medication delivery, which patient factor
most increases deposition in the lower airways?
A. Rapid inspiratory flow
B. Slow, deep inhalation with breath-hold
C. Shallow breathing
D. Mouth breathing only
Rationale: Slow, deep inhalation with a breath-hold
increases particle sedimentation and lower airway
deposition.
7. A ventilator waveforms monitor shows a sudden drop in
exhaled tidal volume with high peak pressures. First action:
A. Decrease FiO₂
B. Check for airway obstruction (kinked tube, secretions,
biting)
C. Increase PEEP
D. Immediately extubate
Rationale: Sudden high pressures and low volumes
, suggest increased airway resistance or obstruction; check
ETT and circuit first.
8. Which gas law explains the relationship between pressure
and volume of a fixed amount of gas at constant
temperature?
A. Charles’s law
B. Dalton’s law
C. Boyle’s law
D. Henry’s law
Rationale: Boyle’s law states that pressure and volume
are inversely related at constant temperature.
9. Normal adult PaCO₂ range is approximately:
A. 10–20 mm Hg
B. 35–45 mm Hg
C. 50–60 mm Hg
D. 70–90 mm Hg
Rationale: Arterial carbon dioxide tension normally lies
between ~35 and 45 mm Hg.
10. Which device provides the most precise FiO₂ to a
patient spontaneously breathing?
A. Simple mask
B. Nonrebreather mask
C. Nasal cannula
D. Venturi mask (air-entrainment device)
