, Kettering TMC Exam Practice (2026) –
300 Practice Questions & Answers for
Respiratory Therapist TMC Board Exam
Prep Review (PDF)
PULMONARY ASSESSMENT
Question 1
A patient presents with acute dyspnea, tachypnea, and an SpO₂ of 84% on room air. What
should the respiratory therapist do first?
A. Obtain a complete pulmonary function test
B. Assess the patient's airway and breathing and provide appropriate oxygen support
C. Schedule an outpatient chest radiograph
D. Begin incentive spirometry
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Assess the patient's airway and breathing and provide appropriate
oxygen support
Rationale: Airway and breathing are immediate priorities. Significant hypoxemia requires
prompt assessment and oxygen therapy while the underlying cause is investigated.
Question 2
Which assessment finding is most concerning for impending respiratory failure?
A. Respiratory rate of 16/min
B. Mild cough
C. Altered mental status with increasing respiratory effort
D. Normal skin color
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Altered mental status with increasing respiratory effort
Rationale: Altered mental status combined with increased work of breathing may indicate
inadequate ventilation and impending respiratory failure.
,Question 3
A patient with severe respiratory distress becomes increasingly somnolent. What does this
finding suggest?
A. Improved ventilation
B. Possible worsening hypercapnia and respiratory failure
C. Resolution of the underlying disease
D. Normal sleep
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Possible worsening hypercapnia and respiratory failure
Rationale: Increasing somnolence in a patient with respiratory distress may occur with rising
PaCO₂ and worsening ventilatory failure.
Question 4
Which finding is most consistent with increased work of breathing?
A. Accessory muscle use
B. Quiet effortless breathing
C. Normal respiratory pattern
D. Decreased respiratory effort without other symptoms
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Accessory muscle use
Rationale: Use of accessory muscles indicates increased respiratory effort and may be seen in
severe airway obstruction or respiratory distress.
Question 5
A patient with asthma has difficulty speaking in complete sentences because of severe dyspnea.
How should this finding be interpreted?
A. Mild disease
B. Significant respiratory distress
C. Normal asthma behavior
D. Evidence of complete recovery
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Significant respiratory distress
, Rationale: Inability to speak in complete sentences due to dyspnea indicates significant airflow
limitation and respiratory distress.
OXYGEN THERAPY
Question 6
A patient is hypoxemic and requires a precise, controlled oxygen concentration. Which device is
most appropriate?
A. Venturi mask
B. Simple nasal cannula only
C. Nonrebreather mask without oxygen flow
D. Room air
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Venturi mask
Rationale: A Venturi mask provides a relatively precise FiO₂ and is useful when controlled
oxygen delivery is required.
Question 7
Which oxygen-delivery device can provide a high concentration of oxygen to a spontaneously
breathing patient when properly fitted and supplied with adequate flow?
A. Nonrebreather mask
B. Nasal cannula at 1 L/min
C. Room-air mask
D. Tracheostomy collar without oxygen
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Nonrebreather mask
Rationale: A nonrebreather mask can deliver a high FiO₂ when the reservoir remains inflated
and the mask fits appropriately.
Question 8
A patient receiving oxygen by nasal cannula complains of nasal dryness. Which intervention may
help?
300 Practice Questions & Answers for
Respiratory Therapist TMC Board Exam
Prep Review (PDF)
PULMONARY ASSESSMENT
Question 1
A patient presents with acute dyspnea, tachypnea, and an SpO₂ of 84% on room air. What
should the respiratory therapist do first?
A. Obtain a complete pulmonary function test
B. Assess the patient's airway and breathing and provide appropriate oxygen support
C. Schedule an outpatient chest radiograph
D. Begin incentive spirometry
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Assess the patient's airway and breathing and provide appropriate
oxygen support
Rationale: Airway and breathing are immediate priorities. Significant hypoxemia requires
prompt assessment and oxygen therapy while the underlying cause is investigated.
Question 2
Which assessment finding is most concerning for impending respiratory failure?
A. Respiratory rate of 16/min
B. Mild cough
C. Altered mental status with increasing respiratory effort
D. Normal skin color
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Altered mental status with increasing respiratory effort
Rationale: Altered mental status combined with increased work of breathing may indicate
inadequate ventilation and impending respiratory failure.
,Question 3
A patient with severe respiratory distress becomes increasingly somnolent. What does this
finding suggest?
A. Improved ventilation
B. Possible worsening hypercapnia and respiratory failure
C. Resolution of the underlying disease
D. Normal sleep
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Possible worsening hypercapnia and respiratory failure
Rationale: Increasing somnolence in a patient with respiratory distress may occur with rising
PaCO₂ and worsening ventilatory failure.
Question 4
Which finding is most consistent with increased work of breathing?
A. Accessory muscle use
B. Quiet effortless breathing
C. Normal respiratory pattern
D. Decreased respiratory effort without other symptoms
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Accessory muscle use
Rationale: Use of accessory muscles indicates increased respiratory effort and may be seen in
severe airway obstruction or respiratory distress.
Question 5
A patient with asthma has difficulty speaking in complete sentences because of severe dyspnea.
How should this finding be interpreted?
A. Mild disease
B. Significant respiratory distress
C. Normal asthma behavior
D. Evidence of complete recovery
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Significant respiratory distress
, Rationale: Inability to speak in complete sentences due to dyspnea indicates significant airflow
limitation and respiratory distress.
OXYGEN THERAPY
Question 6
A patient is hypoxemic and requires a precise, controlled oxygen concentration. Which device is
most appropriate?
A. Venturi mask
B. Simple nasal cannula only
C. Nonrebreather mask without oxygen flow
D. Room air
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Venturi mask
Rationale: A Venturi mask provides a relatively precise FiO₂ and is useful when controlled
oxygen delivery is required.
Question 7
Which oxygen-delivery device can provide a high concentration of oxygen to a spontaneously
breathing patient when properly fitted and supplied with adequate flow?
A. Nonrebreather mask
B. Nasal cannula at 1 L/min
C. Room-air mask
D. Tracheostomy collar without oxygen
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Nonrebreather mask
Rationale: A nonrebreather mask can deliver a high FiO₂ when the reservoir remains inflated
and the mask fits appropriately.
Question 8
A patient receiving oxygen by nasal cannula complains of nasal dryness. Which intervention may
help?
