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. - 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 - ANSWER B.Smoking history
The respiratory therapist calibrates a spirometer and checks the volume with a 3.0 liter su-
per 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 - ANSWER D.Spirometer may have a leak
Which of the following is an indication for high frequency jet ventilation?
A.Bronchopleural fistula
1
,B.Wilson Mikity syndrome
C.Necrotizing lesion of right lung
D.Centrilobular emphysema - ANSWER A.Bronchopleural fistula
A 43-year-old female patient undergoes 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 - ANSWER B.Insert oropharyngeal airway
A 44-week gestational age infant is 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. - 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% - ANSWER B.20 - 40%
A heat moisture exchanger is indicated for humidification in which of the following situa-
tions?
A.Mechanical ventilation in a long-term care facility.
2
,B.Transport to a tertiary care center.
C.Patient with tenacious secretions.
D.Delivery of aerosolized bronchodilators. - 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. - ANSWER B.right side hyper-
lucency, absent vascular markings.
A 64-year-old, 70 kg (154 lb) man with severe COPD receives 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 450 mL
B.Right lung 150 mL; left lung 350 mL
C.Right lung 250 mL; left lung 250 mL
D.Right lung 350 mL; left lung 150 mL - ANSWER B.Right lung 150 mL; left lung 350 mL
A patient in the intensive care unit has the following hemodynamic measurements:CVP (mm
Hg)5PAP (mm Hg)29/8PCWP (mm Hg)8BP (mm Hg)130/70Cardiac output (L/min)5.1Cardiac
index (L/min/m2)2.7What is the pulse pressure?
A.15 mm Hg
B.21 mm Hg
C.60 mm Hg
D.90 mm Hg - ANSWER C.60 mm Hg
A 2-year-old child with croup has been intubated for 4 days with a 4 mm ID uncuffed endo-
tracheal tube. Heated aerosol at an FIO2 of 0.30 has been delivered to the patient. The
3
, physician asks the respiratory therapist to evaluate the patient for possible extubation.
Which of the following would most likely indicate that the patient is ready for extubation?
A.The patient is making normal quiet ventilatory efforts.
B.A negative sputum culture and sensitivity has been reported.
C.The patient's ABG are within normal range.
D.Breath sounds are heard around the tube on auscultation. - ANSWER D.Breath
sounds are heard around the tube on auscultation.
A patient is seen in the Emergency Department for complaints of nausea and vomiting. A na-
sogastric tube has been inserted and the patient is started on lasix. Which of the following
should the respiratory therapist monitor?
A.Cardiac enzymes
B.Serum electrolytes
C.Arterial blood gases
D.Cell hydration level - ANSWER B.Serum electrolytes
While instructing a patient prior to a vital capacity maneuver, the respiratory therapist
should direct the patient to
A.exhale to residual volume and inhale to inspiratory capacity.
B.inhale to total lung capacity then exhale to residual volume.
C.exhale normally then inhale to total lung capacity.
D.inhale normally then exhale to functional residual capacity. - ANSWER B.inhale to
total lung capacity then exhale to residual volume.
A patient involved in an automobile accident is brought to the ED with tachypnea, tracheal
deviation to the right, splinting, asymmetrical chest movement, and decreased breath
sounds on the left side. The respiratory therapist should initially
A.insert a chest tube.
B.administer 100% oxygen via mask.
C.perform endotracheal intubation.
4
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. - 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 - ANSWER B.Smoking history
The respiratory therapist calibrates a spirometer and checks the volume with a 3.0 liter su-
per 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 - ANSWER D.Spirometer may have a leak
Which of the following is an indication for high frequency jet ventilation?
A.Bronchopleural fistula
1
,B.Wilson Mikity syndrome
C.Necrotizing lesion of right lung
D.Centrilobular emphysema - ANSWER A.Bronchopleural fistula
A 43-year-old female patient undergoes 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 - ANSWER B.Insert oropharyngeal airway
A 44-week gestational age infant is 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. - 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% - ANSWER B.20 - 40%
A heat moisture exchanger is indicated for humidification in which of the following situa-
tions?
A.Mechanical ventilation in a long-term care facility.
2
,B.Transport to a tertiary care center.
C.Patient with tenacious secretions.
D.Delivery of aerosolized bronchodilators. - 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. - ANSWER B.right side hyper-
lucency, absent vascular markings.
A 64-year-old, 70 kg (154 lb) man with severe COPD receives 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 450 mL
B.Right lung 150 mL; left lung 350 mL
C.Right lung 250 mL; left lung 250 mL
D.Right lung 350 mL; left lung 150 mL - ANSWER B.Right lung 150 mL; left lung 350 mL
A patient in the intensive care unit has the following hemodynamic measurements:CVP (mm
Hg)5PAP (mm Hg)29/8PCWP (mm Hg)8BP (mm Hg)130/70Cardiac output (L/min)5.1Cardiac
index (L/min/m2)2.7What is the pulse pressure?
A.15 mm Hg
B.21 mm Hg
C.60 mm Hg
D.90 mm Hg - ANSWER C.60 mm Hg
A 2-year-old child with croup has been intubated for 4 days with a 4 mm ID uncuffed endo-
tracheal tube. Heated aerosol at an FIO2 of 0.30 has been delivered to the patient. The
3
, physician asks the respiratory therapist to evaluate the patient for possible extubation.
Which of the following would most likely indicate that the patient is ready for extubation?
A.The patient is making normal quiet ventilatory efforts.
B.A negative sputum culture and sensitivity has been reported.
C.The patient's ABG are within normal range.
D.Breath sounds are heard around the tube on auscultation. - ANSWER D.Breath
sounds are heard around the tube on auscultation.
A patient is seen in the Emergency Department for complaints of nausea and vomiting. A na-
sogastric tube has been inserted and the patient is started on lasix. Which of the following
should the respiratory therapist monitor?
A.Cardiac enzymes
B.Serum electrolytes
C.Arterial blood gases
D.Cell hydration level - ANSWER B.Serum electrolytes
While instructing a patient prior to a vital capacity maneuver, the respiratory therapist
should direct the patient to
A.exhale to residual volume and inhale to inspiratory capacity.
B.inhale to total lung capacity then exhale to residual volume.
C.exhale normally then inhale to total lung capacity.
D.inhale normally then exhale to functional residual capacity. - ANSWER B.inhale to
total lung capacity then exhale to residual volume.
A patient involved in an automobile accident is brought to the ED with tachypnea, tracheal
deviation to the right, splinting, asymmetrical chest movement, and decreased breath
sounds on the left side. The respiratory therapist should initially
A.insert a chest tube.
B.administer 100% oxygen via mask.
C.perform endotracheal intubation.
4
