TMC PRACTICE EXAM 2026 ACTUAL QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS.
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.
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.
The respiratory therapist is calibrating a spirometer and checking the volume with a 3.0 liter super
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.
,TMC PRACTICE EXAM 2026 ACTUAL QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS.
Which of the following is an indication for high frequency jet ventilation?
A. Bronchopleural fistula
B. Wilson Mikity syndrome
C. Necrotizing lesion of right lung
D. Centrilobular emphysema - (ANSWER)A.
A 43-year-old female patient has just undergone 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.
A 44 week gestational age infant has just been 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
,TMC PRACTICE EXAM 2026 ACTUAL QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS.
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.
A heat moisture exchanger is indicated for humidification in which of the following situations?
A. Mechanical ventilation in a long-term care facility.
B. Transport to a tertiary care center.
C. Patient with tenacious secretions.
D. Delivery of aerosolized bronchodilators. - (ANSWER)B.
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.
A 64-year-old, 70 kg (154 lb) man with severe COPD is receiving independent (differential) lung
ventilation following thoracotomy and right lower lobectomy. Which of the following setting
combinations would be most appropriate for this patient?
, TMC PRACTICE EXAM 2026 ACTUAL QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS.
A. Right lung 50 mL; left lung 650 mL
B. Right lung 150 mL; left lung 550 mL
C. Right lung 350 mL; left lung 350 mL
D. Right lung 550 mL; left lung 150 mL - (ANSWER)B.
A patient in the intensive care unit has the following hemodynamic measurements:
CVP (mm Hg) 5
PAP (mm Hg) 29/8
PCWP (mm Hg) 8
BP (mm Hg) 130/70
Cardiac output (L/min) 5.1
Cardiac index (L/min/m2) 2.7
What is the pulse pressure?
A. 15 mm Hg
B. 21 mm Hg
C. 60 mm Hg
D. 90 mm Hg - (ANSWER)C.
A 2-year-old child with croup has been intubated for 4 days with a 4 mm ID uncuffed endotracheal tube.
Heated aerosol at an FIO2 of 0.30 has been delivered to the patient. The physician asks the respiratory
ANSWERS.
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.
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.
The respiratory therapist is calibrating a spirometer and checking the volume with a 3.0 liter super
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.
,TMC PRACTICE EXAM 2026 ACTUAL QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS.
Which of the following is an indication for high frequency jet ventilation?
A. Bronchopleural fistula
B. Wilson Mikity syndrome
C. Necrotizing lesion of right lung
D. Centrilobular emphysema - (ANSWER)A.
A 43-year-old female patient has just undergone 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.
A 44 week gestational age infant has just been 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
,TMC PRACTICE EXAM 2026 ACTUAL QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS.
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.
A heat moisture exchanger is indicated for humidification in which of the following situations?
A. Mechanical ventilation in a long-term care facility.
B. Transport to a tertiary care center.
C. Patient with tenacious secretions.
D. Delivery of aerosolized bronchodilators. - (ANSWER)B.
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.
A 64-year-old, 70 kg (154 lb) man with severe COPD is receiving independent (differential) lung
ventilation following thoracotomy and right lower lobectomy. Which of the following setting
combinations would be most appropriate for this patient?
, TMC PRACTICE EXAM 2026 ACTUAL QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS.
A. Right lung 50 mL; left lung 650 mL
B. Right lung 150 mL; left lung 550 mL
C. Right lung 350 mL; left lung 350 mL
D. Right lung 550 mL; left lung 150 mL - (ANSWER)B.
A patient in the intensive care unit has the following hemodynamic measurements:
CVP (mm Hg) 5
PAP (mm Hg) 29/8
PCWP (mm Hg) 8
BP (mm Hg) 130/70
Cardiac output (L/min) 5.1
Cardiac index (L/min/m2) 2.7
What is the pulse pressure?
A. 15 mm Hg
B. 21 mm Hg
C. 60 mm Hg
D. 90 mm Hg - (ANSWER)C.
A 2-year-old child with croup has been intubated for 4 days with a 4 mm ID uncuffed endotracheal tube.
Heated aerosol at an FIO2 of 0.30 has been delivered to the patient. The physician asks the respiratory
