Utah Respiratory Therapist Certification Exam Practice
Questions and Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026/2027 Q&A| Instant Download
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1. Which of the following is the primary responsibility of a respiratory therapist?
A. Diagnose lung diseases
B. Administer respiratory care treatments
C. Perform surgery
D. Prescribe medications
Answer: B. Administer respiratory care treatments
Rationale: Respiratory therapists provide therapy, monitor patients, and assist in
respiratory care under physician orders.
2. Which of the following is a common oxygen delivery device?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Simple face mask
C. Venturi mask
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: These devices are used to deliver supplemental oxygen at varying
concentrations.
3. What is the normal range for adult oxygen saturation (SpO2)?
A. 70–80%
B. 85–90%
C. 95–100%
D. 100–110%
Answer: C. 95–100%
Rationale: Normal SpO2 reflects adequate oxygenation of hemoglobin in arterial blood.
4. Which of the following is a common indication for mechanical ventilation?
A. Respiratory failure
, B. Severe hypoxemia
C. Hypercapnia
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: Mechanical ventilation supports patients unable to maintain adequate gas
exchange.
5. Which of the following is a contraindication for non-invasive positive pressure
ventilation (NIPPV)?
A. Facial trauma
B. Altered mental status
C. Inability to protect airway
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: NIPPV requires an intact airway and patient cooperation for effectiveness.
6. Which of the following is a common mode of mechanical ventilation?
A. Assist-control (A/C)
B. Synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation (SIMV)
C. Pressure support ventilation (PSV)
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: Different modes are chosen based on patient condition and ventilatory needs.
7. Which of the following is the normal range for adult tidal volume?
A. 5–10 mL/kg of ideal body weight
B. 10–15 mL/kg
C. 1–3 mL/kg
D. 15–20 mL/kg
Answer: A. 5–10 mL/kg of ideal body weight
Rationale: Tidal volume is calculated to provide adequate ventilation without causing lung
injury.
, 8. Which of the following is a common complication of mechanical ventilation?
A. Barotrauma
B. Ventilator-associated pneumonia
C. Volutrauma
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: Prolonged or inappropriate ventilator settings can lead to complications.
9. Which of the following is the normal range for adult respiratory rate?
A. 8–12 breaths/min
B. 12–20 breaths/min
C. 20–28 breaths/min
D. 25–35 breaths/min
Answer: B. 12–20 breaths/min
Rationale: This range reflects normal adult breathing under resting conditions.
10. Which of the following devices is used for delivering aerosolized medications?
A. Nebulizer
B. Metered-dose inhaler (MDI)
C. Dry powder inhaler (DPI)
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: Aerosol therapy delivers medications directly to the lungs for faster action.
11. Which of the following is a primary goal of oxygen therapy?
A. Treat hypoxemia
B. Reduce work of breathing
C. Decrease myocardial stress
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: Oxygen therapy improves oxygenation and reduces complications of hypoxia.
12. Which of the following is the normal PaO2 for a healthy adult at sea level?
A. 50–60 mmHg
Questions and Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026/2027 Q&A| Instant Download
1. Which of the following is the primary responsibility of a respiratory therapist?
A. Diagnose lung diseases
B. Administer respiratory care treatments
C. Perform surgery
D. Prescribe medications
Answer: B. Administer respiratory care treatments
Rationale: Respiratory therapists provide therapy, monitor patients, and assist in
respiratory care under physician orders.
2. Which of the following is a common oxygen delivery device?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Simple face mask
C. Venturi mask
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: These devices are used to deliver supplemental oxygen at varying
concentrations.
3. What is the normal range for adult oxygen saturation (SpO2)?
A. 70–80%
B. 85–90%
C. 95–100%
D. 100–110%
Answer: C. 95–100%
Rationale: Normal SpO2 reflects adequate oxygenation of hemoglobin in arterial blood.
4. Which of the following is a common indication for mechanical ventilation?
A. Respiratory failure
, B. Severe hypoxemia
C. Hypercapnia
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: Mechanical ventilation supports patients unable to maintain adequate gas
exchange.
5. Which of the following is a contraindication for non-invasive positive pressure
ventilation (NIPPV)?
A. Facial trauma
B. Altered mental status
C. Inability to protect airway
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: NIPPV requires an intact airway and patient cooperation for effectiveness.
6. Which of the following is a common mode of mechanical ventilation?
A. Assist-control (A/C)
B. Synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation (SIMV)
C. Pressure support ventilation (PSV)
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: Different modes are chosen based on patient condition and ventilatory needs.
7. Which of the following is the normal range for adult tidal volume?
A. 5–10 mL/kg of ideal body weight
B. 10–15 mL/kg
C. 1–3 mL/kg
D. 15–20 mL/kg
Answer: A. 5–10 mL/kg of ideal body weight
Rationale: Tidal volume is calculated to provide adequate ventilation without causing lung
injury.
, 8. Which of the following is a common complication of mechanical ventilation?
A. Barotrauma
B. Ventilator-associated pneumonia
C. Volutrauma
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: Prolonged or inappropriate ventilator settings can lead to complications.
9. Which of the following is the normal range for adult respiratory rate?
A. 8–12 breaths/min
B. 12–20 breaths/min
C. 20–28 breaths/min
D. 25–35 breaths/min
Answer: B. 12–20 breaths/min
Rationale: This range reflects normal adult breathing under resting conditions.
10. Which of the following devices is used for delivering aerosolized medications?
A. Nebulizer
B. Metered-dose inhaler (MDI)
C. Dry powder inhaler (DPI)
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: Aerosol therapy delivers medications directly to the lungs for faster action.
11. Which of the following is a primary goal of oxygen therapy?
A. Treat hypoxemia
B. Reduce work of breathing
C. Decrease myocardial stress
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: Oxygen therapy improves oxygenation and reduces complications of hypoxia.
12. Which of the following is the normal PaO2 for a healthy adult at sea level?
A. 50–60 mmHg
