TMC Exam Latest 2025–2026 – Actual
Exam Test Bank with Questions and
Correct Verified Answers (Graded A+)
SECTION 1: PATIENT ASSESSMENT & EVALUATION
Question 1
A 48-year-old female is admitted to the ED with diaphoresis, jugular venous distension, and 3+
pitting edema in the ankles. These findings are consistent with:
A) Liver failure
B) Pulmonary embolism
C) Heart failure
D) Electrolyte imbalances
Correct Answer: C) Heart failure
Rationales>..: Jugular venous distension (JVD) indicates elevated central venous pressure, and
peripheral edema with diaphoresis are classic signs of right-sided heart failure. The combination
of these findings points to fluid overload from cardiac dysfunction.
Question 2
A patient is admitted to the ED following a motor vehicle accident. On physical exam, breath
sounds are absent in the left chest with a hyperresonant percussion note. The trachea is shifted
,to the right. The patient's heart rate is 45/min, respiratory rate is 30/min, and blood pressure is
60/40 mm Hg. What action should the therapist recommend first?
A) Obtain a chest X-ray
B) Insert a chest tube
C) Needle decompression of the left chest
D) Administer IV fluids
Correct Answer: C) Needle decompression of the left chest
Rationales>..: The findings of absent breath sounds, hyperresonant percussion, tracheal
deviation away from the affected side, and hypotension with bradycardia indicate a tension
pneumothorax. This is a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate needle decompression.
Question 3
While performing diagnostic chest percussion, the respiratory therapist notes decreased
resonance to percussion. Which of the following are potential causes of this finding?
1. Pneumothorax
2. Pleural effusion
3. Pneumonia
4. Atelectasis
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2, 3, and 4
C) 1, 3, and 4
D) All of the above
Correct Answer: B) 2, 3, and 4
,Rationales>..: Decreased resonance (dullness) to percussion indicates increased tissue density
or fluid. Pleural effusion, pneumonia, and atelectasis all increase density and produce dullness.
Pneumothorax produces hyperresonance, not decreased resonance.
Question 4
A patient who complains of dyspnea is noted to have a dry, non-productive cough. On physical
examination, breath sounds are diminished on the right, tactile fremitus is decreased, and there is
dullness to percussion over the right lower lobe. The respiratory therapist should suspect:
A) Pneumonia
B) Pulmonary embolism
C) Pleural effusion
D) Bronchiolitis
Correct Answer: C) Pleural effusion
Rationales>..: Pleural effusion presents with diminished breath sounds, decreased tactile
fremitus, and dullness to percussion. Pneumonia typically presents with increased fremitus,
while pulmonary embolism often presents with sudden-onset dyspnea and pleuritic chest pain.
Question 5
A patient with reduced chest expansion, a hyperresonant percussion note, and absent breath
sounds on the left side most likely has:
A) Pleural effusion
B) Pneumothorax
, C) Atelectasis
D) Pneumonia
Correct Answer: B) Pneumothorax
Rationales>..: The classic findings of pneumothorax include reduced chest expansion,
hyperresonant percussion, and absent breath sounds on the affected side. Air in the pleural
space prevents lung expansion and sound transmission.
Question 6
What is the normal range for endotracheal tube cuff pressure?
A) 10-15 cm H₂O
B) 15-20 cm H₂O
C) 20-30 cm H₂O
D) 30-40 cm H₂O
Correct Answer: C) 20-30 cm H₂O
Rationales>..: The normal range for endotracheal tube cuff pressure is 20-30 cm H₂O. Pressures
above 30 cm H₂O can cause tracheal mucosal ischemia and necrosis, while pressures below 20
cm H₂O may allow aspiration.
Question 7
A 52-year-old post-operative cholecystectomy patient's breath sounds become more coarse
upon completion of postural drainage with percussion. The respiratory therapist should
recommend:
Exam Test Bank with Questions and
Correct Verified Answers (Graded A+)
SECTION 1: PATIENT ASSESSMENT & EVALUATION
Question 1
A 48-year-old female is admitted to the ED with diaphoresis, jugular venous distension, and 3+
pitting edema in the ankles. These findings are consistent with:
A) Liver failure
B) Pulmonary embolism
C) Heart failure
D) Electrolyte imbalances
Correct Answer: C) Heart failure
Rationales>..: Jugular venous distension (JVD) indicates elevated central venous pressure, and
peripheral edema with diaphoresis are classic signs of right-sided heart failure. The combination
of these findings points to fluid overload from cardiac dysfunction.
Question 2
A patient is admitted to the ED following a motor vehicle accident. On physical exam, breath
sounds are absent in the left chest with a hyperresonant percussion note. The trachea is shifted
,to the right. The patient's heart rate is 45/min, respiratory rate is 30/min, and blood pressure is
60/40 mm Hg. What action should the therapist recommend first?
A) Obtain a chest X-ray
B) Insert a chest tube
C) Needle decompression of the left chest
D) Administer IV fluids
Correct Answer: C) Needle decompression of the left chest
Rationales>..: The findings of absent breath sounds, hyperresonant percussion, tracheal
deviation away from the affected side, and hypotension with bradycardia indicate a tension
pneumothorax. This is a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate needle decompression.
Question 3
While performing diagnostic chest percussion, the respiratory therapist notes decreased
resonance to percussion. Which of the following are potential causes of this finding?
1. Pneumothorax
2. Pleural effusion
3. Pneumonia
4. Atelectasis
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2, 3, and 4
C) 1, 3, and 4
D) All of the above
Correct Answer: B) 2, 3, and 4
,Rationales>..: Decreased resonance (dullness) to percussion indicates increased tissue density
or fluid. Pleural effusion, pneumonia, and atelectasis all increase density and produce dullness.
Pneumothorax produces hyperresonance, not decreased resonance.
Question 4
A patient who complains of dyspnea is noted to have a dry, non-productive cough. On physical
examination, breath sounds are diminished on the right, tactile fremitus is decreased, and there is
dullness to percussion over the right lower lobe. The respiratory therapist should suspect:
A) Pneumonia
B) Pulmonary embolism
C) Pleural effusion
D) Bronchiolitis
Correct Answer: C) Pleural effusion
Rationales>..: Pleural effusion presents with diminished breath sounds, decreased tactile
fremitus, and dullness to percussion. Pneumonia typically presents with increased fremitus,
while pulmonary embolism often presents with sudden-onset dyspnea and pleuritic chest pain.
Question 5
A patient with reduced chest expansion, a hyperresonant percussion note, and absent breath
sounds on the left side most likely has:
A) Pleural effusion
B) Pneumothorax
, C) Atelectasis
D) Pneumonia
Correct Answer: B) Pneumothorax
Rationales>..: The classic findings of pneumothorax include reduced chest expansion,
hyperresonant percussion, and absent breath sounds on the affected side. Air in the pleural
space prevents lung expansion and sound transmission.
Question 6
What is the normal range for endotracheal tube cuff pressure?
A) 10-15 cm H₂O
B) 15-20 cm H₂O
C) 20-30 cm H₂O
D) 30-40 cm H₂O
Correct Answer: C) 20-30 cm H₂O
Rationales>..: The normal range for endotracheal tube cuff pressure is 20-30 cm H₂O. Pressures
above 30 cm H₂O can cause tracheal mucosal ischemia and necrosis, while pressures below 20
cm H₂O may allow aspiration.
Question 7
A 52-year-old post-operative cholecystectomy patient's breath sounds become more coarse
upon completion of postural drainage with percussion. The respiratory therapist should
recommend:
