RESPIRATORY THERAPY I — Updated
Practice Solution Set 2026 (A+ Verified)
1 - Which of the following is the most appropriate
indication for initiating noninvasive ventilation (NIV)?
• Acute hypercapnic respiratory failure due to COPD
exacerbation
• Severe hypoxemic respiratory failure with impending
arrest
• Inability to protect the airway or excessive secretions
• Hemodynamic instability requiring vasopressors
Answer: Acute hypercapnic respiratory failure due to COPD
exacerbation
2 - Which components are essential for a complete
arterial blood gas (ABG) interpretation?
• pH
• PaCO2
• HCO3- (bicarbonate)
• PaO2
• Patient body temperature (routine value for
interpretation)
Answer: pH, PaCO2, HCO3- (bicarbonate), PaO2
3 - What is the normal range for end-tidal CO2 (EtCO2)
measured by mainstream capnography in a
spontaneously breathing adult?
• 20–30 mm Hg
, • 35–45 mm Hg
• 45–60 mm Hg
• 60–80 mm Hg
Answer: 35–45 mm Hg
4 - Which interventions commonly improve oxygenation
in a patient on invasive mechanical ventilation?
• Increase FiO2
• Increase PEEP
• Perform recruitment maneuvers/prone positioning
when appropriate
• Decrease inspiratory time to improve oxygenation
Answer: Increase FiO2, Increase PEEP, Perform
recruitment maneuvers/prone positioning when appropriate
5 - For a patient expected to remain intubated and
mechanically ventilated for >72 hours, which
humidification strategy is preferred?
• Heat and moisture exchanger (HME)
• Active heated humidifier with heated expiratory limb
• No humidification (dry gas)
• Simple bubble humidifier on the ventilator circuit
Answer: Active heated humidifier with heated expiratory
limb
Practice Solution Set 2026 (A+ Verified)
1 - Which of the following is the most appropriate
indication for initiating noninvasive ventilation (NIV)?
• Acute hypercapnic respiratory failure due to COPD
exacerbation
• Severe hypoxemic respiratory failure with impending
arrest
• Inability to protect the airway or excessive secretions
• Hemodynamic instability requiring vasopressors
Answer: Acute hypercapnic respiratory failure due to COPD
exacerbation
2 - Which components are essential for a complete
arterial blood gas (ABG) interpretation?
• pH
• PaCO2
• HCO3- (bicarbonate)
• PaO2
• Patient body temperature (routine value for
interpretation)
Answer: pH, PaCO2, HCO3- (bicarbonate), PaO2
3 - What is the normal range for end-tidal CO2 (EtCO2)
measured by mainstream capnography in a
spontaneously breathing adult?
• 20–30 mm Hg
, • 35–45 mm Hg
• 45–60 mm Hg
• 60–80 mm Hg
Answer: 35–45 mm Hg
4 - Which interventions commonly improve oxygenation
in a patient on invasive mechanical ventilation?
• Increase FiO2
• Increase PEEP
• Perform recruitment maneuvers/prone positioning
when appropriate
• Decrease inspiratory time to improve oxygenation
Answer: Increase FiO2, Increase PEEP, Perform
recruitment maneuvers/prone positioning when appropriate
5 - For a patient expected to remain intubated and
mechanically ventilated for >72 hours, which
humidification strategy is preferred?
• Heat and moisture exchanger (HME)
• Active heated humidifier with heated expiratory limb
• No humidification (dry gas)
• Simple bubble humidifier on the ventilator circuit
Answer: Active heated humidifier with heated expiratory
limb
