NBRC TMC Exam Practice Questions and
Correct Answers
Question 1
Although a patient has been receiving sufficient nicotine replacement therapy by
dermal patch as a part of smoking cession program, the patient continues smoking at
a consistent level. Which of the following should be addressed?
A. psychological aspect of the addition
B. neurological dopamine levels
C. blood nicotine level
D. physiological needs
Correct Answer
A.
The nicotine replacement approach is a method that addresses the physiological
need (the body's chemical addiction). Most likely, the patient continues the
behavior due to a psychological addiction. This should always be addressed in
conjunction with the physiological aspect of the addiction.
Question 2
In which of the following positions can the respiratory therapist expect to place a
patient who will receive chest physiotherapy and postural drainage to address
secretions found in the upper lobes, anterior segments of the lungs?
A. Trendenlenburg - 30 degrees
B. Trendelenburg - 15 degrees
C. Prone position
D. Supine position
Correct Answer
D.
Secretions in the upper lobes in the anterior segments of the lungs can best be
drained by placing the patient in supine position.
Page 1 of 255
,Question 3
While performing ACLS on a patient who is in complete cardiac arrest, the physician
orders arterial blood gas analysis. The RT is unable to palpate a radial pule. BP is 25/5
mm Hg. The RT should:
A. Obtain blood from the femoral artery
B. Use venous blood for the blood gas analysis
C. Perform an Allen's test
D. Attempt a brachial artery puncture
Correct Answer
A.
Question 4
After an abdominal surgery, a patient is placed on volume-control ventilation. Which
of the following positions would be most helpful in promoting effective gas
distribution and preventing ventilator acquired pneumonia?
A. supine
B. prone
C. semi-Fowler's position
D. Trendelenburg
Correct Answer
C
For a patient who is in bed, or is not ambulatory, semi-Fowler's position is the best
position for gas distribution in the lungs and therefore is most helpful in preventing
ventilator acquired pneumonia or VAP.
Page 2 of 255
,Question 5
A 38-year-old male presents in the emergency department (ED) complaining of
frequent vomiting. The following laboratory data is available: Arterial blood gases
pH 7.55 PaCO2 42 torrPaO2 85 torrHCO3- 31 mEq/LBE +7 mEq/LFIO2 0.21K+ 3.0
mEq/LCl- 95 mEq/LNa+ 135 mEq/L
Which of the following should the respiratory therapist recommend?
A. administer NaCL
B. administer NaHCO3-
C. administer KCL
D. administer volume-expanding fluids
Correct Answer
C.
This patient has a CO2 of 42 mmHg, which suggests adequate ventilation. However,
the high pH is associated with alkalosis. Because the CO2 is normal, the cause of the
alkalosis must be metabolic in nature. One treatment for metabolic alkalosis is to
administer potassium chloride or KCl.
Question 6
A 183-cm (6-ft), 78-kg (171-lb) male patient with ARDS has the following ABGs while
receiving PC, A/C ventilatory support:
pH 7.28 PaCO2 52 mm HgPaO2 62 mm HgHCO3- 27 mEq/LBE -5 mEq/L Ventilator
settings: FIO2 0.6PEEP 18 cm H2OVT(exhaled) 400 mLIP 36 cm H2OIT% 33%(f) 16/min
The respiratory therapist should recommend
A. increasing the inspiratory pressure.
B. increasing FIO2.
C. increasing PEEP.
D. reducing the rate.
Correct Answer
A
Page 3 of 255
, Question 7
Which of the following may be noted on a chest X-ray of a patient who has advanced
pulmonary tuberculosis?
A. Bilateral hyper lucency
B. Reticulogranular pattern
C. Cavitations
D. Flattened diaphragm
Correct Answer
C.
As alveolar tissue begins the disintegration process, cavities (cavitations) may form
and can often be observed on the x-ray
Question 8
What is the purpose of aqueous quality control material used in conjunction with a
blood gas analyzer?
A. evaluates the analyzer for accuracy
B. assures the analyzer is precise
C. cleans the gas-sensing electrodes in the analyzer
D. calibrates the analyzer to a known gas concentration
Correct Answer
A.
Aqueous quality control material is manufactured with a known gas concentration.
The material is intended to simulate blood and in some cases consists of actual
biological material. The results of the blood gas analyzer should be compared with
the known, published gas concentrations of the material. In this way, the analyzer
can be evaluated for accuracy. The material is not used to change or calibrate the
machine, nor is it used for cleaning of electrodes.
Page 4 of 255
Correct Answers
Question 1
Although a patient has been receiving sufficient nicotine replacement therapy by
dermal patch as a part of smoking cession program, the patient continues smoking at
a consistent level. Which of the following should be addressed?
A. psychological aspect of the addition
B. neurological dopamine levels
C. blood nicotine level
D. physiological needs
Correct Answer
A.
The nicotine replacement approach is a method that addresses the physiological
need (the body's chemical addiction). Most likely, the patient continues the
behavior due to a psychological addiction. This should always be addressed in
conjunction with the physiological aspect of the addiction.
Question 2
In which of the following positions can the respiratory therapist expect to place a
patient who will receive chest physiotherapy and postural drainage to address
secretions found in the upper lobes, anterior segments of the lungs?
A. Trendenlenburg - 30 degrees
B. Trendelenburg - 15 degrees
C. Prone position
D. Supine position
Correct Answer
D.
Secretions in the upper lobes in the anterior segments of the lungs can best be
drained by placing the patient in supine position.
Page 1 of 255
,Question 3
While performing ACLS on a patient who is in complete cardiac arrest, the physician
orders arterial blood gas analysis. The RT is unable to palpate a radial pule. BP is 25/5
mm Hg. The RT should:
A. Obtain blood from the femoral artery
B. Use venous blood for the blood gas analysis
C. Perform an Allen's test
D. Attempt a brachial artery puncture
Correct Answer
A.
Question 4
After an abdominal surgery, a patient is placed on volume-control ventilation. Which
of the following positions would be most helpful in promoting effective gas
distribution and preventing ventilator acquired pneumonia?
A. supine
B. prone
C. semi-Fowler's position
D. Trendelenburg
Correct Answer
C
For a patient who is in bed, or is not ambulatory, semi-Fowler's position is the best
position for gas distribution in the lungs and therefore is most helpful in preventing
ventilator acquired pneumonia or VAP.
Page 2 of 255
,Question 5
A 38-year-old male presents in the emergency department (ED) complaining of
frequent vomiting. The following laboratory data is available: Arterial blood gases
pH 7.55 PaCO2 42 torrPaO2 85 torrHCO3- 31 mEq/LBE +7 mEq/LFIO2 0.21K+ 3.0
mEq/LCl- 95 mEq/LNa+ 135 mEq/L
Which of the following should the respiratory therapist recommend?
A. administer NaCL
B. administer NaHCO3-
C. administer KCL
D. administer volume-expanding fluids
Correct Answer
C.
This patient has a CO2 of 42 mmHg, which suggests adequate ventilation. However,
the high pH is associated with alkalosis. Because the CO2 is normal, the cause of the
alkalosis must be metabolic in nature. One treatment for metabolic alkalosis is to
administer potassium chloride or KCl.
Question 6
A 183-cm (6-ft), 78-kg (171-lb) male patient with ARDS has the following ABGs while
receiving PC, A/C ventilatory support:
pH 7.28 PaCO2 52 mm HgPaO2 62 mm HgHCO3- 27 mEq/LBE -5 mEq/L Ventilator
settings: FIO2 0.6PEEP 18 cm H2OVT(exhaled) 400 mLIP 36 cm H2OIT% 33%(f) 16/min
The respiratory therapist should recommend
A. increasing the inspiratory pressure.
B. increasing FIO2.
C. increasing PEEP.
D. reducing the rate.
Correct Answer
A
Page 3 of 255
, Question 7
Which of the following may be noted on a chest X-ray of a patient who has advanced
pulmonary tuberculosis?
A. Bilateral hyper lucency
B. Reticulogranular pattern
C. Cavitations
D. Flattened diaphragm
Correct Answer
C.
As alveolar tissue begins the disintegration process, cavities (cavitations) may form
and can often be observed on the x-ray
Question 8
What is the purpose of aqueous quality control material used in conjunction with a
blood gas analyzer?
A. evaluates the analyzer for accuracy
B. assures the analyzer is precise
C. cleans the gas-sensing electrodes in the analyzer
D. calibrates the analyzer to a known gas concentration
Correct Answer
A.
Aqueous quality control material is manufactured with a known gas concentration.
The material is intended to simulate blood and in some cases consists of actual
biological material. The results of the blood gas analyzer should be compared with
the known, published gas concentrations of the material. In this way, the analyzer
can be evaluated for accuracy. The material is not used to change or calibrate the
machine, nor is it used for cleaning of electrodes.
Page 4 of 255
