BKAT Study Set Practice Exam Guide 2026
1. Normal blood gases; pH 7.35-7.45
2. Normal blood gases: CO2 35-45
3. Normal blood gases: 22-26
HcO3
4. Normal blood gases: PO2 80 or above
5. Normal vacuum pres- 120-140 mmHg
sures for suction?
6. What may a high pressure Pt is biting on the tubing, excessive secretions in the tubing, kinked
vent alarm indicate? tubing
7. What may a low pressure cutt leak or the tubing is disconnected somewhere
vent alarm indicate?
8. How do you verify po- -auscultate lung bases and apices for bilateral breath sounds
sitioning of an endotra- -observe chest for symmetric chest wall movement
cheal tube? -confirm with end tidal CO2 measure
GOLD STANDARD: chest x-ray
9. t/f: people with ET tubes FALSE-- they should be suctioned on an as needed basis
should be suctioned rou-
tinely
10. what should ET tube cuff 20-25 mmHg
pressure be kept at?
11. What measures should -confirm that exit mark on ET tube remains constant when providing
nurses take to avoid ET patient care, repositioning, and transporting patient
tube problems? -maintain proper cutt inflation (listen for an air leak-- if pt can talk,
, BKAT Study Set Practice Exam Guide 2026
you must inflate more)
-continually monitor SpO2, RR, HR and rhythm, mental status, and
ABGs
-pre-oxygenate before suctioning
12. What should be done if a STOP and manually hyperventilate with 100% oxygen
patient is not tolerating ET
tube suctioning?
13. Measures to prevent aspi- -avoid bolus tube feedings
ration? -monitor tube feeding residuals
-maintain HOB at LEAST 30 degrees or greater
-maintain proper ET tube cutt inflation
-perform frequent oral pharyngeal suctioning
-maintain an NG tube connected to low, intermittent suction if feed-
ing tube is placed below the pylorus
14. what are recommenda- -manage ventilated patients without sedatives whenever possible
tions for preventing venti- -interrupt sedation once a day (spontaneous breathing trials)
lator associated pneumo- -provide early exercise and mobility
nia? -provide regular oral care
-minimize pooling of secretions above the ET tube cutt
-use ET tubes with subglottic secretion drainage for patients likely to
require greater than 72 hours of intubation
-keep HOB elevated 30-45 degress
-change ventilator circuit only if visibly soiled or malfunctioning
15. What is the biggest com- BREATHING-- the diaphragm is innervated by C3-C5 levels
plication associated with
high cervical spinal cord C4-diaphragm
injuries?
will likely need mechanical ventilation mgmt
, BKAT Study Set Practice Exam Guide 2026
16. signs and symptoms of in- -altered LOC
creased intracranial pres- -headache
sure? -bradycardia
-decreased respirations
-acute HTN with widening pulse pressure
-N/V
-worsening neuro deficits
-pupils that are nonreactive
17. What are the components 1. LOC
of a neuro exam? (7) 2. mental status and cognitive function
3. cranial nerves
4. motor
5. sensory
6. coordination
7. reflexes
18. What are the three com- 1. eye opening
ponents of the glasgow 2. motor
coma scale? 3. verbal
19. What is a negative and negative (normal) response: toes curl downward
positive babinski reflex?
what do each indicate? positive (pathologic) response= toes curl upward
a positive babinski in adults indicates dysfunction in the motor path-
ways of the brain or spinal cord
20. what is the initial dosing -0.9 mg/kg
of tpa? -10% as a bolus over 1 minute and 90% as continuous infusion over
60 minutes
21.
1. Normal blood gases; pH 7.35-7.45
2. Normal blood gases: CO2 35-45
3. Normal blood gases: 22-26
HcO3
4. Normal blood gases: PO2 80 or above
5. Normal vacuum pres- 120-140 mmHg
sures for suction?
6. What may a high pressure Pt is biting on the tubing, excessive secretions in the tubing, kinked
vent alarm indicate? tubing
7. What may a low pressure cutt leak or the tubing is disconnected somewhere
vent alarm indicate?
8. How do you verify po- -auscultate lung bases and apices for bilateral breath sounds
sitioning of an endotra- -observe chest for symmetric chest wall movement
cheal tube? -confirm with end tidal CO2 measure
GOLD STANDARD: chest x-ray
9. t/f: people with ET tubes FALSE-- they should be suctioned on an as needed basis
should be suctioned rou-
tinely
10. what should ET tube cuff 20-25 mmHg
pressure be kept at?
11. What measures should -confirm that exit mark on ET tube remains constant when providing
nurses take to avoid ET patient care, repositioning, and transporting patient
tube problems? -maintain proper cutt inflation (listen for an air leak-- if pt can talk,
, BKAT Study Set Practice Exam Guide 2026
you must inflate more)
-continually monitor SpO2, RR, HR and rhythm, mental status, and
ABGs
-pre-oxygenate before suctioning
12. What should be done if a STOP and manually hyperventilate with 100% oxygen
patient is not tolerating ET
tube suctioning?
13. Measures to prevent aspi- -avoid bolus tube feedings
ration? -monitor tube feeding residuals
-maintain HOB at LEAST 30 degrees or greater
-maintain proper ET tube cutt inflation
-perform frequent oral pharyngeal suctioning
-maintain an NG tube connected to low, intermittent suction if feed-
ing tube is placed below the pylorus
14. what are recommenda- -manage ventilated patients without sedatives whenever possible
tions for preventing venti- -interrupt sedation once a day (spontaneous breathing trials)
lator associated pneumo- -provide early exercise and mobility
nia? -provide regular oral care
-minimize pooling of secretions above the ET tube cutt
-use ET tubes with subglottic secretion drainage for patients likely to
require greater than 72 hours of intubation
-keep HOB elevated 30-45 degress
-change ventilator circuit only if visibly soiled or malfunctioning
15. What is the biggest com- BREATHING-- the diaphragm is innervated by C3-C5 levels
plication associated with
high cervical spinal cord C4-diaphragm
injuries?
will likely need mechanical ventilation mgmt
, BKAT Study Set Practice Exam Guide 2026
16. signs and symptoms of in- -altered LOC
creased intracranial pres- -headache
sure? -bradycardia
-decreased respirations
-acute HTN with widening pulse pressure
-N/V
-worsening neuro deficits
-pupils that are nonreactive
17. What are the components 1. LOC
of a neuro exam? (7) 2. mental status and cognitive function
3. cranial nerves
4. motor
5. sensory
6. coordination
7. reflexes
18. What are the three com- 1. eye opening
ponents of the glasgow 2. motor
coma scale? 3. verbal
19. What is a negative and negative (normal) response: toes curl downward
positive babinski reflex?
what do each indicate? positive (pathologic) response= toes curl upward
a positive babinski in adults indicates dysfunction in the motor path-
ways of the brain or spinal cord
20. what is the initial dosing -0.9 mg/kg
of tpa? -10% as a bolus over 1 minute and 90% as continuous infusion over
60 minutes
21.
