SDS EXAM NBRC EXAM 3 2026 EXAM
PREPARATION PACK KEY RESPIRATORY
THERAPY TOPICS AND SAMPLE QUESTIONS
WITH EXPLANATIONS
◉ Cyanosis Answer: Blue or blue-gray dusky discoloration of the
skin and mucous membranes.
Indicates: hypoxia from increased amount of reduced hemoglobin
◉ Chest configuration Kyphosiscoliosis Answer: Convex curvature of
the spine with a lateral curvature of the skin
- causes a restrictive pattern and reduced lung volumes.
◉ Describe symmetrical chest movement Answer: When both sides
of the chest are moving equally at the same time
◉ List five underlying pathologies that can contribute to a patient
displaying asymmetrical chest movement Answer: Post lung
resection, post pneumonectomy
Atelectasis (hyperinflation recruitment maneuver
Flail chest
Pneumothorax
,Endotracheal tube inserted in right or left mainstem bronchi
◉ Eupnea Answer: Normal respiratory rate, depth and rhythm
Condition: normal respiratory rate for an adult 12-20bpm
◉ Tachypnea Answer: Increased respiratory rate >20bpm
Condition: hypoxia, fever, pain, CNS problem
◉ Bradypnea Answer: Decreased respiratory rate <12bpm
Condition: sleep, drugs, alcohol, metabolic disorder
◉ Cheyne-Stokes Answer: Gradually increasing then decreasing rate
and depth in a cycle lasting from 30-180 secs with periods of apnea
up to 60 secs.
Condition: increased intracranial pressures, brainstem injury, drug
overdose
◉ Biot's Answer: Increased respiratory rate and depth with
irregular periods of apnea
Condition: CNS depression
◉ Kussmaul's Answer: Increased respiratory rate (usually 20
breaths/min)
,Condition: increased depth rhythm, breathing sounds labored
metabolic acidosis, renal failure, diabetic ketoacidosis
◉ What causes hypertrophy of the accessory muscles and what type
of patient might this be present in? Answer: Increase in muscle size
of accessory muscle occurs with COPD
◉ Describe the four neck pathologies that might complicate
endotracheal intubation Answer: Short receding mandible
Enlarged tongue
Bull neck
Limited range of motion
◉ What is the normal range for a patient's heart rate Answer: 60-
100/min
◉ What term would be used to decribe a heart rate of 160/min?
would this indicate Answer: Tachycardia, indicates hypoxemia,
anxiety, stress recommended oxygen therapy
◉ What term would be used to describe a pule 52/min? what would
this indicate? Answer: Bradycardia, indicates heart failure, shock,
code/emergency recommend atropine.
, ◉ What does paradoxical pulse/pulsus paradoxus indicate Answer:
Pulse/blood pressure varies with respiration. May indicate severe
air trapping (status asthmaticus, tension pneumothorax, cardiac
tamponade.
◉ Causes of tracheal deviation Pulled to abnormal side (toward
pathology) AIR Answer: Pulmonary atelectasis
Pulmonary fibrosis
Pneumoectomy
Diaphrgamatic paralysis
◉ Pushed to normal side (away from pathology) FLUID Answer:
Massive pleural effusion
Tension pneumothorax
Neck or thyroid tumors
Large mediastinal mass
◉ What is tactile fremitus Answer: Vibrations that are felt by the
hand on the chest wall
◉ What is meant by crepitus and what condition is it associated
with? Answer: Bubbles of air under the skin that can be palpated
and indicates the presence of subcutaneous emphysema.
PREPARATION PACK KEY RESPIRATORY
THERAPY TOPICS AND SAMPLE QUESTIONS
WITH EXPLANATIONS
◉ Cyanosis Answer: Blue or blue-gray dusky discoloration of the
skin and mucous membranes.
Indicates: hypoxia from increased amount of reduced hemoglobin
◉ Chest configuration Kyphosiscoliosis Answer: Convex curvature of
the spine with a lateral curvature of the skin
- causes a restrictive pattern and reduced lung volumes.
◉ Describe symmetrical chest movement Answer: When both sides
of the chest are moving equally at the same time
◉ List five underlying pathologies that can contribute to a patient
displaying asymmetrical chest movement Answer: Post lung
resection, post pneumonectomy
Atelectasis (hyperinflation recruitment maneuver
Flail chest
Pneumothorax
,Endotracheal tube inserted in right or left mainstem bronchi
◉ Eupnea Answer: Normal respiratory rate, depth and rhythm
Condition: normal respiratory rate for an adult 12-20bpm
◉ Tachypnea Answer: Increased respiratory rate >20bpm
Condition: hypoxia, fever, pain, CNS problem
◉ Bradypnea Answer: Decreased respiratory rate <12bpm
Condition: sleep, drugs, alcohol, metabolic disorder
◉ Cheyne-Stokes Answer: Gradually increasing then decreasing rate
and depth in a cycle lasting from 30-180 secs with periods of apnea
up to 60 secs.
Condition: increased intracranial pressures, brainstem injury, drug
overdose
◉ Biot's Answer: Increased respiratory rate and depth with
irregular periods of apnea
Condition: CNS depression
◉ Kussmaul's Answer: Increased respiratory rate (usually 20
breaths/min)
,Condition: increased depth rhythm, breathing sounds labored
metabolic acidosis, renal failure, diabetic ketoacidosis
◉ What causes hypertrophy of the accessory muscles and what type
of patient might this be present in? Answer: Increase in muscle size
of accessory muscle occurs with COPD
◉ Describe the four neck pathologies that might complicate
endotracheal intubation Answer: Short receding mandible
Enlarged tongue
Bull neck
Limited range of motion
◉ What is the normal range for a patient's heart rate Answer: 60-
100/min
◉ What term would be used to decribe a heart rate of 160/min?
would this indicate Answer: Tachycardia, indicates hypoxemia,
anxiety, stress recommended oxygen therapy
◉ What term would be used to describe a pule 52/min? what would
this indicate? Answer: Bradycardia, indicates heart failure, shock,
code/emergency recommend atropine.
, ◉ What does paradoxical pulse/pulsus paradoxus indicate Answer:
Pulse/blood pressure varies with respiration. May indicate severe
air trapping (status asthmaticus, tension pneumothorax, cardiac
tamponade.
◉ Causes of tracheal deviation Pulled to abnormal side (toward
pathology) AIR Answer: Pulmonary atelectasis
Pulmonary fibrosis
Pneumoectomy
Diaphrgamatic paralysis
◉ Pushed to normal side (away from pathology) FLUID Answer:
Massive pleural effusion
Tension pneumothorax
Neck or thyroid tumors
Large mediastinal mass
◉ What is tactile fremitus Answer: Vibrations that are felt by the
hand on the chest wall
◉ What is meant by crepitus and what condition is it associated
with? Answer: Bubbles of air under the skin that can be palpated
and indicates the presence of subcutaneous emphysema.
