RESPIRATORY CARE EXAM REVIEW | RESPIRATORY THERAPY PRACTICE QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS | COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027
A patient is receiving oxygen from an "E" cylinder at 4 L/min through a nasal cannula. The
cylinder pressure is 1900 psig. How long will the cylinder run until it is empty? - ANS ✔✔2.2
hours
After setting up a partial rebreathing mask on a patient at a flow of 8 L/min, the reservoir bag
collapses before the patient finishes inspiring. The respiratory care practitioner should do which
of the following?
-Change to a 6 L/min NC
-Decrease flow
-Change to a NRB
-Increase the flow - ANS ✔✔Increase the flow
The following blood has levels have been obtained from a patient using a 60% aerosol mask; pH
7.47, PaCO2 31, PaO2 58. What should the respiratory care practitioner recommend at this
time? - ANS ✔✔Place the patient on CPAP
Given the following data, what is the patient's total arterial O2 content?
pH 7.41, PaCo2 37, PaO2 88, HCO 26, SaO2 95%, Hb 14 - ANS ✔✔18 g/dL
A patient is using a 30% Venturi mask at an O2 flow of 5 L/min. The total flow delivered by this
device is which of the following?
-36 L/min
-45 L/min
-54 L/min
-60 L/min - ANS ✔✔45 L/min
,Name 3 examples of low-flow O2 delivery devices - ANS ✔✔Simple mask, NC, NRB
List 5 conditions that affect accuracy of pulse ox? - ANS ✔✔Ambient light, nail polish, severe
hypoxemia, skin pigment, and temperature
List the 3 ventilator criteria that should be met by patients receiving O2 from low-flow devices -
ANS ✔✔Consistent vent pattern, VT 300-700 mL, and RR < 25/min
The physician orders O2 therapy for a patient with a VT of 400 mL and Ti of 0.5 s. What flow
must the mask deliver to meet the patient's inspiratory demand? - ANS ✔✔48 L/min
How does water in the aerosol tubing of a mask affect delivered FiO2? - ANS ✔✔Increases FiO2
What does hydrostatic testing of cyclinders determine? - ANS ✔✔wall stress, cylinder
expansion, and leaks
What is the working pressure of cylinders? - ANS ✔✔50 psi
Name 3 ways to determine if a flowmeter is pressure compensated? - ANS ✔✔Labeling, needle
located distal to float (proximal to patient), and float jumps when plugged into wall (turned off)
List 3 indications for O2 therapy - ANS ✔✔Hypoxemia, increased WOB, and increased
myocardial work
Name 5 causes of hypoxemia - ANS ✔✔inadequate FiO2, alveolar hypoventilation, V/Q
mismatch, diffusion defect, and anatomical shunt (right to left)
, Secretions tend to become thicker if the inspired gas has what characteristics? - ANS ✔✔Water
content is less than 44 mg/L at body temperature
After connecting a NC to the humidifier outlet, you kink the tubing and hear a whistling noise
coming from the humidifier. What has most likely caused this? - ANS ✔✔The pop off valve has
opened due to excessive pressure and no leaks are present
You notice that the patient's secretions have become thicker and more difficult to suction since
replacing the ventilator humidifier with a heat moisture exchanger. The respiratory therapist
should recommend; - ANS ✔✔Replace the HME with a conventional heated humidifier
Which of the following are indications for bland aerosol therapy?
-Cough induction/sputum induction
-Improved mobilization of secretions
-Treatment of postextubation inflammation of the upper airway - ANS ✔✔-Cough
induction/sputum induction
-Improved mobilization of secretions
-Treatment of postextubation inflammation of the upper airway
You notice that very little mist is being produced by a nebulizer attached to an aerosol mask.
Which of the following could be responsible for this?
-Liter flow is too high
-Nebulizer jet is clogged with soap residue
-Capillary tube filter is obstructed - ANS ✔✔-Nebulizer jet is clogged with soap residue
-Capillary tube filter is obstructed
List 5 hazards of aerosol therapy; - ANS ✔✔Bronchospasm, overhydration, overheating, tubing
condensation, contaminated water
ANSWERS | COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027
A patient is receiving oxygen from an "E" cylinder at 4 L/min through a nasal cannula. The
cylinder pressure is 1900 psig. How long will the cylinder run until it is empty? - ANS ✔✔2.2
hours
After setting up a partial rebreathing mask on a patient at a flow of 8 L/min, the reservoir bag
collapses before the patient finishes inspiring. The respiratory care practitioner should do which
of the following?
-Change to a 6 L/min NC
-Decrease flow
-Change to a NRB
-Increase the flow - ANS ✔✔Increase the flow
The following blood has levels have been obtained from a patient using a 60% aerosol mask; pH
7.47, PaCO2 31, PaO2 58. What should the respiratory care practitioner recommend at this
time? - ANS ✔✔Place the patient on CPAP
Given the following data, what is the patient's total arterial O2 content?
pH 7.41, PaCo2 37, PaO2 88, HCO 26, SaO2 95%, Hb 14 - ANS ✔✔18 g/dL
A patient is using a 30% Venturi mask at an O2 flow of 5 L/min. The total flow delivered by this
device is which of the following?
-36 L/min
-45 L/min
-54 L/min
-60 L/min - ANS ✔✔45 L/min
,Name 3 examples of low-flow O2 delivery devices - ANS ✔✔Simple mask, NC, NRB
List 5 conditions that affect accuracy of pulse ox? - ANS ✔✔Ambient light, nail polish, severe
hypoxemia, skin pigment, and temperature
List the 3 ventilator criteria that should be met by patients receiving O2 from low-flow devices -
ANS ✔✔Consistent vent pattern, VT 300-700 mL, and RR < 25/min
The physician orders O2 therapy for a patient with a VT of 400 mL and Ti of 0.5 s. What flow
must the mask deliver to meet the patient's inspiratory demand? - ANS ✔✔48 L/min
How does water in the aerosol tubing of a mask affect delivered FiO2? - ANS ✔✔Increases FiO2
What does hydrostatic testing of cyclinders determine? - ANS ✔✔wall stress, cylinder
expansion, and leaks
What is the working pressure of cylinders? - ANS ✔✔50 psi
Name 3 ways to determine if a flowmeter is pressure compensated? - ANS ✔✔Labeling, needle
located distal to float (proximal to patient), and float jumps when plugged into wall (turned off)
List 3 indications for O2 therapy - ANS ✔✔Hypoxemia, increased WOB, and increased
myocardial work
Name 5 causes of hypoxemia - ANS ✔✔inadequate FiO2, alveolar hypoventilation, V/Q
mismatch, diffusion defect, and anatomical shunt (right to left)
, Secretions tend to become thicker if the inspired gas has what characteristics? - ANS ✔✔Water
content is less than 44 mg/L at body temperature
After connecting a NC to the humidifier outlet, you kink the tubing and hear a whistling noise
coming from the humidifier. What has most likely caused this? - ANS ✔✔The pop off valve has
opened due to excessive pressure and no leaks are present
You notice that the patient's secretions have become thicker and more difficult to suction since
replacing the ventilator humidifier with a heat moisture exchanger. The respiratory therapist
should recommend; - ANS ✔✔Replace the HME with a conventional heated humidifier
Which of the following are indications for bland aerosol therapy?
-Cough induction/sputum induction
-Improved mobilization of secretions
-Treatment of postextubation inflammation of the upper airway - ANS ✔✔-Cough
induction/sputum induction
-Improved mobilization of secretions
-Treatment of postextubation inflammation of the upper airway
You notice that very little mist is being produced by a nebulizer attached to an aerosol mask.
Which of the following could be responsible for this?
-Liter flow is too high
-Nebulizer jet is clogged with soap residue
-Capillary tube filter is obstructed - ANS ✔✔-Nebulizer jet is clogged with soap residue
-Capillary tube filter is obstructed
List 5 hazards of aerosol therapy; - ANS ✔✔Bronchospasm, overhydration, overheating, tubing
condensation, contaminated water
