TMC PRACTICE EXAM B
KETTERING WITH
CORRECT ANSWER 2026
A patient in the intensive care area has the following laboratory data:
pH 7.54
PaCO2 48 torr
PaO2 78 torr
CaO2 18.9 vol%
K+ 2.1 mEq/L
Cl- 82 mEq/L
Na+ 142 mEq/L
Based on these results, the respiratory therapist should recommend
administration of
A. KCl.
B. NaHCO3.
C. NaCl.
D. O2. - CORRECT ANSWER- A. KCl.
While weaning a patient from inhaled nitric oxide therapy, the
respiratory therapist notes an increase in pulmonary artery pressure
following a recent decrease in dosage. The therapist should
A. discontinue the nitric oxide.
B. call the physician for guidance.
C. continue to monitor the patient.
D. return the iNO dose to the previous level. - CORRECT ANSWER-
D. return the iNO dose to the previous level.
,After a patient undergoes a thoracentesis, the respiratory therapist
notes that the obtained pleural fluid is clear with a slight straw color.
This fluid is most likely the result of
A. empyema.
B. congestive heart failure.
C. lung carcinoma.
D. hemothorax. - CORRECT ANSWER- B. congestive heart failure.
Which of the following would be most important to evaluate for a
patient who is entering a smoking cessation program?
A. Height
B. Smoking history
C. Weight
D. Diet - CORRECT ANSWER- B. Smoking history
The respiratory therapist is calibrating a spirometer and checking the
volume with a 3.0 liter super syringe. The volumes recorded are: 2.85
L, 2.8 L, and 2.8 L. Based upon the information obtained which of the
following is a correct statement?
A. Another syringe needs to be used
B. Spirometer is accurate
C. The plunger was advanced too slowly
D. Spirometer may have a leak - CORRECT ANSWER- D.
Spirometer may have a leak
Which of the following is an indication for high frequency jet
ventilation?
A. Bronchopleural fistula
B. Wilson Mikity syndrome
C. Necrotizing lesion of right lung
,D. Centrilobular emphysema - CORRECT ANSWER- A.
Bronchopleural fistula
A 43-year-old female patient has just undergone a total abdominal
hysterectomy. The patient arrives in the post anesthesia care unit
obtunded with minimal response to painful stimulus. What treatment
should the respiratory therapist recommend for this patient?
A. Initiate assisted ventilation
B. Insert oropharyngeal airway
C. Obtain positron emission tomography
D. Initiate noninvasive capnography - CORRECT ANSWER- B.
Insert oropharyngeal airway
A 44 week gestational age infant has just been delivered via C-section
and is gasping, grunting, and has tachycardia and tachypnea. At one
minute his Apgar score is 4 and at 5 minutes the score is 5. The infant
is most likely suffering from
A. transient tachypnea of the newborn.
B. meconium aspiration.
C. bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
D. apnea of prematurity. - CORRECT ANSWER- B. meconium
aspiration.
What is the normal VD/VT ratio for a patient breathing room air?
A. 5 - 15%
B. 20 - 40%
C. 45 - 55%
D. 65 - 75% - CORRECT ANSWER- B. 20 - 40%
A heat moisture exchanger is indicated for humidification in which of
the following situations?
A. Mechanical ventilation in a long-term care facility.
B. Transport to a tertiary care center.
, C. Patient with tenacious secretions.
D. Delivery of aerosolized bronchodilators. - CORRECT ANSWER-
B. Transport to a tertiary care center.
All of the following could cause a patient's right-hemidiaphragm to be
elevated, EXCEPT
A. right lower lobe atelectasis.
B. right side hyperlucency, absent vascular markings.
C. hepatomegaly.
D. right lower lobe consolidation with air bronchograms. -
CORRECT ANSWER- B. right side hyperlucency, absent vascular
markings
A 64-year-old, 70 kg (154 lb) man with severe COPD is receiving
independent (differential) lung ventilation following thoracotomy and
right lower lobectomy. Which of the following setting combinations
would be most appropriate for this patient?
A. Right lung 50 mL; left lung 650 mL
B. Right lung 150 mL; left lung 550 mL
C. Right lung 350 mL; left lung 350 mL
D. Right lung 550 mL; left lung 150 mL - CORRECT ANSWER- B.
Right lung 150 mL; left lung 550 mL
A patient in the intensive care unit has the following hemodynamic
measurements:
CVP (mm Hg) 5
PAP (mm Hg) 29/8
PCWP (mm Hg) 8
BP (mm Hg) 130/70
Cardiac output (L/min) 5.1
Cardiac index (L/min/m2) 2.7
What is the pulse pressure?
KETTERING WITH
CORRECT ANSWER 2026
A patient in the intensive care area has the following laboratory data:
pH 7.54
PaCO2 48 torr
PaO2 78 torr
CaO2 18.9 vol%
K+ 2.1 mEq/L
Cl- 82 mEq/L
Na+ 142 mEq/L
Based on these results, the respiratory therapist should recommend
administration of
A. KCl.
B. NaHCO3.
C. NaCl.
D. O2. - CORRECT ANSWER- A. KCl.
While weaning a patient from inhaled nitric oxide therapy, the
respiratory therapist notes an increase in pulmonary artery pressure
following a recent decrease in dosage. The therapist should
A. discontinue the nitric oxide.
B. call the physician for guidance.
C. continue to monitor the patient.
D. return the iNO dose to the previous level. - CORRECT ANSWER-
D. return the iNO dose to the previous level.
,After a patient undergoes a thoracentesis, the respiratory therapist
notes that the obtained pleural fluid is clear with a slight straw color.
This fluid is most likely the result of
A. empyema.
B. congestive heart failure.
C. lung carcinoma.
D. hemothorax. - CORRECT ANSWER- B. congestive heart failure.
Which of the following would be most important to evaluate for a
patient who is entering a smoking cessation program?
A. Height
B. Smoking history
C. Weight
D. Diet - CORRECT ANSWER- B. Smoking history
The respiratory therapist is calibrating a spirometer and checking the
volume with a 3.0 liter super syringe. The volumes recorded are: 2.85
L, 2.8 L, and 2.8 L. Based upon the information obtained which of the
following is a correct statement?
A. Another syringe needs to be used
B. Spirometer is accurate
C. The plunger was advanced too slowly
D. Spirometer may have a leak - CORRECT ANSWER- D.
Spirometer may have a leak
Which of the following is an indication for high frequency jet
ventilation?
A. Bronchopleural fistula
B. Wilson Mikity syndrome
C. Necrotizing lesion of right lung
,D. Centrilobular emphysema - CORRECT ANSWER- A.
Bronchopleural fistula
A 43-year-old female patient has just undergone a total abdominal
hysterectomy. The patient arrives in the post anesthesia care unit
obtunded with minimal response to painful stimulus. What treatment
should the respiratory therapist recommend for this patient?
A. Initiate assisted ventilation
B. Insert oropharyngeal airway
C. Obtain positron emission tomography
D. Initiate noninvasive capnography - CORRECT ANSWER- B.
Insert oropharyngeal airway
A 44 week gestational age infant has just been delivered via C-section
and is gasping, grunting, and has tachycardia and tachypnea. At one
minute his Apgar score is 4 and at 5 minutes the score is 5. The infant
is most likely suffering from
A. transient tachypnea of the newborn.
B. meconium aspiration.
C. bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
D. apnea of prematurity. - CORRECT ANSWER- B. meconium
aspiration.
What is the normal VD/VT ratio for a patient breathing room air?
A. 5 - 15%
B. 20 - 40%
C. 45 - 55%
D. 65 - 75% - CORRECT ANSWER- B. 20 - 40%
A heat moisture exchanger is indicated for humidification in which of
the following situations?
A. Mechanical ventilation in a long-term care facility.
B. Transport to a tertiary care center.
, C. Patient with tenacious secretions.
D. Delivery of aerosolized bronchodilators. - CORRECT ANSWER-
B. Transport to a tertiary care center.
All of the following could cause a patient's right-hemidiaphragm to be
elevated, EXCEPT
A. right lower lobe atelectasis.
B. right side hyperlucency, absent vascular markings.
C. hepatomegaly.
D. right lower lobe consolidation with air bronchograms. -
CORRECT ANSWER- B. right side hyperlucency, absent vascular
markings
A 64-year-old, 70 kg (154 lb) man with severe COPD is receiving
independent (differential) lung ventilation following thoracotomy and
right lower lobectomy. Which of the following setting combinations
would be most appropriate for this patient?
A. Right lung 50 mL; left lung 650 mL
B. Right lung 150 mL; left lung 550 mL
C. Right lung 350 mL; left lung 350 mL
D. Right lung 550 mL; left lung 150 mL - CORRECT ANSWER- B.
Right lung 150 mL; left lung 550 mL
A patient in the intensive care unit has the following hemodynamic
measurements:
CVP (mm Hg) 5
PAP (mm Hg) 29/8
PCWP (mm Hg) 8
BP (mm Hg) 130/70
Cardiac output (L/min) 5.1
Cardiac index (L/min/m2) 2.7
What is the pulse pressure?