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TMC EXAM – SECURE COMPREHENSIVE
THERAPIST SAE EXAM BANK 2025/2026
|ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND 100%
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
Which of the following values for arterial carbon dioxide tension
is consistent with significant alveolar hypoventilation?
A.20 torr
B.30 torr
C.40 torr
D.50 torr - ✔✔✔ Correct Answer > d
While administering 3.5 mg of albuterol to a patient with
asthma in the ICU, the respiratory therapist notes that the
patient's heart rate increases from 120 to 150 beats/minute.
What is the appropriate modification for the next treatment for
this patient?
A. Reduce the dose of
albuterol.
B. B.Discontinue the treatment.
C. Change to 3 puffs of beclomethasone dipropionate (Vanceril®).
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D.Change to 0.63 mg of levalbuterol (Xopenex®). - ✔✔✔
Correct Answer > a
A sudden decrease in end-tidal CO2 occurs in a mechanically
ventilated patient. A repeat analysis yields the same results.
Which of the following situations might account for these
readings?
A. The ventilator circuit has become disconnected.
B. There is a leak around the endotracheal tube.
C. There is an increase in alveolar dead space.
D. The carbon dioxide absorber is exhausted. - ✔✔✔
Correct Answer > a
The ability to distinguish central apnea from obstructive apnea
during a sleep study requires the respiratory therapist to
monitor1. electrocardiogram.2. electroencephalogram.3. nasal air
flow.4. chest wall impedance.
B.1 and 2 only
B.3 and 4 only
C.2, 3, and 4
only
D.1, 2, and 3 only - ✔✔✔ Correct Answer > b
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All of the following statements are TRUE with regard to cuff
inflation techniques EXCEPT
A.minimal leak/minimal occlusion volume techniques negate the
need for cuff pressure monitoring.
B.minimal leak technique allows a small leak at the end of
inspiration.
C.at minimal occlusion volume, air leakage around the tube cuff
should cease.
D.cuff pressure should not exceed 35 cm H2O in order to allow
circulation to tracheal mucosa - ✔✔✔ Correct Answer > a
A capnograph used for continuous monitoring of a patient on
mechanical ventilation should be recalibrated every
B.2 hours.
B.4 hours.
C.8 hours.
D.24 hours. - ✔✔✔ Correct Answer > c
A patient has mild stridor immediately after extubation. This
finding is most often associated with
A.lower airway obstruction.
B.secretions in the large airways
.C.upper airway obstruction.
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D.bronchial spasm. - ✔✔✔ Correct Answer > c
A patient who suffered multiple trauma in a car accident
receives oxygen via nasal cannula at 2 L/min. Vital signs are:
heart rate 110/min, respiratory rate 32/min, blood pressure
90/60 mm Hg.
The pulse oximeter reads 78%. Which of the following should
the respiratory therapist recommend to maximize the patient's
FIO2?
A.Simple oxygen mask at 8 L/min
B.Non-rebreathing mask at 15
L/min C.CPAP at 10 cm H2O and
0.60 FIO2
D.NPPV of 18/5 cm H2O and 0.60 FIO2 - ✔✔✔ Correct Answer > b
The primary reason for the use of respiratory care protocols is
to A.decrease the patient workload for therapists.
B.standardize provision of care.
C.enhance departmental efficiency.
D.increase the autonomy of therapists - ✔✔✔ Correct Answer >
b
What is normal urine output in an adult patient?
TMC EXAM – SECURE COMPREHENSIVE
THERAPIST SAE EXAM BANK 2025/2026
|ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND 100%
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
Which of the following values for arterial carbon dioxide tension
is consistent with significant alveolar hypoventilation?
A.20 torr
B.30 torr
C.40 torr
D.50 torr - ✔✔✔ Correct Answer > d
While administering 3.5 mg of albuterol to a patient with
asthma in the ICU, the respiratory therapist notes that the
patient's heart rate increases from 120 to 150 beats/minute.
What is the appropriate modification for the next treatment for
this patient?
A. Reduce the dose of
albuterol.
B. B.Discontinue the treatment.
C. Change to 3 puffs of beclomethasone dipropionate (Vanceril®).
,2|Page
D.Change to 0.63 mg of levalbuterol (Xopenex®). - ✔✔✔
Correct Answer > a
A sudden decrease in end-tidal CO2 occurs in a mechanically
ventilated patient. A repeat analysis yields the same results.
Which of the following situations might account for these
readings?
A. The ventilator circuit has become disconnected.
B. There is a leak around the endotracheal tube.
C. There is an increase in alveolar dead space.
D. The carbon dioxide absorber is exhausted. - ✔✔✔
Correct Answer > a
The ability to distinguish central apnea from obstructive apnea
during a sleep study requires the respiratory therapist to
monitor1. electrocardiogram.2. electroencephalogram.3. nasal air
flow.4. chest wall impedance.
B.1 and 2 only
B.3 and 4 only
C.2, 3, and 4
only
D.1, 2, and 3 only - ✔✔✔ Correct Answer > b
,3|Page
All of the following statements are TRUE with regard to cuff
inflation techniques EXCEPT
A.minimal leak/minimal occlusion volume techniques negate the
need for cuff pressure monitoring.
B.minimal leak technique allows a small leak at the end of
inspiration.
C.at minimal occlusion volume, air leakage around the tube cuff
should cease.
D.cuff pressure should not exceed 35 cm H2O in order to allow
circulation to tracheal mucosa - ✔✔✔ Correct Answer > a
A capnograph used for continuous monitoring of a patient on
mechanical ventilation should be recalibrated every
B.2 hours.
B.4 hours.
C.8 hours.
D.24 hours. - ✔✔✔ Correct Answer > c
A patient has mild stridor immediately after extubation. This
finding is most often associated with
A.lower airway obstruction.
B.secretions in the large airways
.C.upper airway obstruction.
, 4|Page
D.bronchial spasm. - ✔✔✔ Correct Answer > c
A patient who suffered multiple trauma in a car accident
receives oxygen via nasal cannula at 2 L/min. Vital signs are:
heart rate 110/min, respiratory rate 32/min, blood pressure
90/60 mm Hg.
The pulse oximeter reads 78%. Which of the following should
the respiratory therapist recommend to maximize the patient's
FIO2?
A.Simple oxygen mask at 8 L/min
B.Non-rebreathing mask at 15
L/min C.CPAP at 10 cm H2O and
0.60 FIO2
D.NPPV of 18/5 cm H2O and 0.60 FIO2 - ✔✔✔ Correct Answer > b
The primary reason for the use of respiratory care protocols is
to A.decrease the patient workload for therapists.
B.standardize provision of care.
C.enhance departmental efficiency.
D.increase the autonomy of therapists - ✔✔✔ Correct Answer >
b
What is normal urine output in an adult patient?
