CSE RESPIRATORY I MOCK TEST AND STUDY
MATERIAL WITH RESPIRATORY CARE
SCENARIOS AND CLINICAL PRACTICE
◉ Why might choosing a DPI for a patient in severe distress be the
wrong answer on a TMC exam?
Answer: Because the delivery device is inappropriate for the
patient's inspiratory ability.
◉ Which medication class should the therapist expect FIRST for a
patient with acute bronchospasm?
Answer: Short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) therapy such as
albuterol.
◉ Why are albuterol and levalbuterol commonly called 'rescue
medications'?
Answer: Because they rapidly reverse acute bronchospasm during
reversible airway obstruction.
◉ What disease processes commonly require SABA therapy?
Answer: Asthma, COPD, bronchitis, and bronchiectasis with
reversible airflow obstruction.
,◉ What is levalbuterol?
Answer: The R-isomer of albuterol marketed as Xopenex.
◉ Does levalbuterol completely eliminate cardiac side effects
compared with albuterol?
Answer: Levalbuterol may produce slightly fewer tremors and heart-
rate changes at some doses, but clinically similar doses may still
produce similar side effects.
◉ What is the classic NBRC board trigger for albuterol?
Answer: Acute wheezing or acute reversible bronchospasm.
◉ In the order 'albuterol 2.5 mg in 3 mL NS,' what portion
represents the actual medication dose?
Answer: 2.5 mg because mg represents the amount of medication
while mL represents volume.
◉ Why is 'mg versus mL' considered a classic TMC calculation trap?
Answer: Because students may incorrectly identify volume as the
drug dose instead of the actual medication amount.
◉ What forms of albuterol are available clinically?
Answer: MDI, DPI, nebulizer solution, syrup, and extended-release
tablets.
, ◉ How does albuterol lower serum potassium?
Answer: Beta-2 stimulation shifts potassium intracellularly.
◉ Why is albuterol considered adjunct therapy rather than first-line
therapy for hyperkalemia?
Answer: Because the potassium reduction is temporary and modest
and does not remove potassium from the body.
◉ How much can albuterol typically lower serum potassium?
Answer: Approximately 0.5-1.5 mEq/L.
◉ What dose range of albuterol may be used for hyperkalemia
management?
Answer: Approximately 10-20 mg.
◉ What is the most likely explanation for tachycardia, tremors, and
anxiety after repeated albuterol treatments?
Answer: Excessive systemic beta-adrenergic stimulation.
◉ What dangerous complication should the therapist suspect if a
patient develops worsening wheezing immediately after treatment?
Answer: Paradoxical bronchospasm.
MATERIAL WITH RESPIRATORY CARE
SCENARIOS AND CLINICAL PRACTICE
◉ Why might choosing a DPI for a patient in severe distress be the
wrong answer on a TMC exam?
Answer: Because the delivery device is inappropriate for the
patient's inspiratory ability.
◉ Which medication class should the therapist expect FIRST for a
patient with acute bronchospasm?
Answer: Short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) therapy such as
albuterol.
◉ Why are albuterol and levalbuterol commonly called 'rescue
medications'?
Answer: Because they rapidly reverse acute bronchospasm during
reversible airway obstruction.
◉ What disease processes commonly require SABA therapy?
Answer: Asthma, COPD, bronchitis, and bronchiectasis with
reversible airflow obstruction.
,◉ What is levalbuterol?
Answer: The R-isomer of albuterol marketed as Xopenex.
◉ Does levalbuterol completely eliminate cardiac side effects
compared with albuterol?
Answer: Levalbuterol may produce slightly fewer tremors and heart-
rate changes at some doses, but clinically similar doses may still
produce similar side effects.
◉ What is the classic NBRC board trigger for albuterol?
Answer: Acute wheezing or acute reversible bronchospasm.
◉ In the order 'albuterol 2.5 mg in 3 mL NS,' what portion
represents the actual medication dose?
Answer: 2.5 mg because mg represents the amount of medication
while mL represents volume.
◉ Why is 'mg versus mL' considered a classic TMC calculation trap?
Answer: Because students may incorrectly identify volume as the
drug dose instead of the actual medication amount.
◉ What forms of albuterol are available clinically?
Answer: MDI, DPI, nebulizer solution, syrup, and extended-release
tablets.
, ◉ How does albuterol lower serum potassium?
Answer: Beta-2 stimulation shifts potassium intracellularly.
◉ Why is albuterol considered adjunct therapy rather than first-line
therapy for hyperkalemia?
Answer: Because the potassium reduction is temporary and modest
and does not remove potassium from the body.
◉ How much can albuterol typically lower serum potassium?
Answer: Approximately 0.5-1.5 mEq/L.
◉ What dose range of albuterol may be used for hyperkalemia
management?
Answer: Approximately 10-20 mg.
◉ What is the most likely explanation for tachycardia, tremors, and
anxiety after repeated albuterol treatments?
Answer: Excessive systemic beta-adrenergic stimulation.
◉ What dangerous complication should the therapist suspect if a
patient develops worsening wheezing immediately after treatment?
Answer: Paradoxical bronchospasm.
