RATIONALES | DOWNLOAD AND PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1-50
1. A Certified Respiratory Therapy Technician (CRAT) is preparing to administer a bronchodilator via small-volume
nebulizer (SVN) to a patient with acute bronchospasm. Which of the following actions is most critical to ensure
patient safety and optimal drug delivery?
A. Heating the solution to room temperature before administration.
B. Using a filter needle to draw up the medication from an ampule.
C. Taping the mouthpiece directly to the patient's face to prevent dislodgement.
D. Setting the flowmeter to 2 L/min to maximize aerosol particle deposition.
Correct Answer: B. Using a filter needle to draw up the medication from an ampule.
Rationale: Using a filter needle is critical to prevent glass particles from entering the solution when breaking an
ampule, thus ensuring patient safety. Option A is incorrect; medications should not be heated. Option C is unsafe and
can cause aspiration or skin breakdown. Option D is incorrect because the recommended flow for an SVN is typically 6-
8 L/min, not 2 L/min, to generate an effective aerosol.
,2. When assessing a patient who is receiving oxygen via a non-rebreather mask, which of the following
observations would indicate that the system is functioning correctly?
A. The reservoir bag is completely deflated during inspiration.
B. The reservoir bag remains partially inflated during both inspiration and expiration.
C. The patient's oxygen saturation is maintained at 80%.
D. The mask is removed for 15 minutes every hour to prevent skin breakdown.
Correct Answer: B. The reservoir bag remains partially inflated during both inspiration and expiration.
Rationale: A correctly functioning non-rebreather mask requires the reservoir bag to remain partially inflated to ensure
the patient is receiving a high concentration of oxygen. Option A indicates a flow rate that is too low. Option C is a sign
of hypoxia and would indicate the system is not functioning or the patient requires additional support. Option D is
inappropriate and could lead to hypoxia; the mask should only be removed for brief periods if clinically indicated.
3. A technician is setting up a large-volume jet nebulizer for a patient with a productive cough. The primary
purpose of this therapy is to:
A. Deliver a precise, high concentration of oxygen.
B. Provide continuous positive airway pressure.
C. Administer a bronchodilator.
D. Humidify inspired gases and assist in mucus clearance.
,Correct Answer: D. Humidify inspired gases and assist in mucus clearance.
Rationale: Large-volume jet nebulizers are primarily used for humidification and to help liquefy and mobilize
secretions. Option A is the function of an oxygen delivery device. Option B is the function of CPAP. Option C is a
function of a small-volume nebulizer.
4. A patient is ordered to receive oxygen at a FiO2 of 0.40 via a Venturi mask. You place the correctly colored
Venturi adapter on the mask, but the oxygen flowmeter is set to 12 L/min. What is the effect of this high flow
rate?
A. The actual FiO2 delivered will be higher than 0.40.
B. The actual FiO2 delivered will be lower than 0.40.
C. The FiO2 will remain at 0.40, but the total gas flow to the patient will increase.
D. The FiO2 will remain at 0.40, but the total gas flow will decrease.
Correct Answer: C. The FiO2 will remain at 0.40, but the total gas flow to the patient will increase.
Rationale: A Venturi mask operates on the Bernoulli principle; the FiO2 is determined by the size of the air entrainment
port (the adapter). Increasing the oxygen flow rate beyond the recommended minimum increases the total flow
delivered to the patient but does not change the FiO2. Options A and B are incorrect as the entrainment ratio remains
fixed. Option D is incorrect as the total flow increases with the oxygen flow.
, 5. When using a pulse oximeter to monitor a patient's oxygen saturation, which of the following conditions is
most likely to cause a falsely low SpO2 reading?
A. Carbon monoxide poisoning.
B. Jaundice.
C. The patient is wearing dark nail polish.
D. The patient is in atrial fibrillation.
Correct Answer: C. The patient is wearing dark nail polish.
Rationale: Dark nail polish, especially blue, black, or green, can absorb light from the oximeter and cause an
inaccurate, often falsely low, SpO2 reading. Option A causes a falsely high reading because carboxyhemoglobin is
misread as oxyhemoglobin. Jaundice can cause a falsely low reading in some devices, but the most common
interference from these options is dark nail polish. Atrial fibrillation can affect signal quality but is less likely to cause a
direct false low reading compared to dark nail polish.
6. A CRAT is called to a patient's room where the high-pressure alarm on the mechanical ventilator is sounding.
Upon arrival, the patient is coughing and appears distressed. Which of the following is the most appropriate
initial action?
A. Immediately disconnect the patient from the ventilator and bag them with a manual resuscitation bag.
B. Turn off the audible alarm to reduce patient anxiety.