KETTERING TMC EXAM PRACTICE
REVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A 65-year-old male with CHF presents with a CVP of 12 mmHg and a PCWP of 22 mmHg.
Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Right heart failure
B. Left heart failure
C. Hypovolemia
D. Pulmonary embolism
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: An elevated PCWP (>18 mmHg) specifically indicates left heart
involvement, often seen in congestive heart failure or mitral valve stenosis, while CVP
reflects right heart status.
2. When evaluating a flow-volume loop, a ‘scooped-out’ appearance on the expiratory limb is
characteristic of:
A. Restrictive lung disease
B. Obstructive lung disease
,C. Fixed upper airway obstruction
D. Normal lung function
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Obstructive diseases like COPD or asthma cause a reduction in
expiratory flows, resulting in the characteristic scooped-out appearance of the expiratory
limb.
3. Calculate the static compliance for a patient with a VT of 500 mL, Plateau Pressure of 25
cmH2O, and PEEP of 5 cmH2O.
A. 20 mL/cmH2O
B. 40 mL/cmH2O
C. 30 mL/cmH2O
D. 25 mL/cmH2O
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Static Compliance = VT / (Plateau - PEEP). 500 / (25 - 5) = 500 /
20 = 25 mL/cmH2O.
4. Which of the following values represents a normal P50 on the oxyhemoglobin dissociation
curve?
A. 27 mmHg
B. 20 mmHg
, C. 40 mmHg
D. 60 mmHg
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: P50 is the partial pressure of oxygen at which hemoglobin is
50% saturated, normally around 26-27 mmHg.
5. A patient’s ABG shows pH 7.20, PaCO2 65 mmHg, and HCO3 26 mEq/L. This is interpreted
as:
A. Compensated Respiratory Acidosis
B. Uncompensated Respiratory Acidosis
C. Uncompensated Metabolic Acidosis
D. Partially Compensated Respiratory Acidosis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The pH is low (acidosis), PaCO2 is high (respiratory), and the
HCO3 is within normal range, indicating no compensation has occurred yet.
6. A therapist is using a 80/20 Heliox mixture. The flowmeter reads 10 L/min. What is the
actual flow to the patient?
A. 10 L/min
B. 14 L/min
C. 16 L/min
REVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A 65-year-old male with CHF presents with a CVP of 12 mmHg and a PCWP of 22 mmHg.
Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Right heart failure
B. Left heart failure
C. Hypovolemia
D. Pulmonary embolism
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: An elevated PCWP (>18 mmHg) specifically indicates left heart
involvement, often seen in congestive heart failure or mitral valve stenosis, while CVP
reflects right heart status.
2. When evaluating a flow-volume loop, a ‘scooped-out’ appearance on the expiratory limb is
characteristic of:
A. Restrictive lung disease
B. Obstructive lung disease
,C. Fixed upper airway obstruction
D. Normal lung function
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Obstructive diseases like COPD or asthma cause a reduction in
expiratory flows, resulting in the characteristic scooped-out appearance of the expiratory
limb.
3. Calculate the static compliance for a patient with a VT of 500 mL, Plateau Pressure of 25
cmH2O, and PEEP of 5 cmH2O.
A. 20 mL/cmH2O
B. 40 mL/cmH2O
C. 30 mL/cmH2O
D. 25 mL/cmH2O
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Static Compliance = VT / (Plateau - PEEP). 500 / (25 - 5) = 500 /
20 = 25 mL/cmH2O.
4. Which of the following values represents a normal P50 on the oxyhemoglobin dissociation
curve?
A. 27 mmHg
B. 20 mmHg
, C. 40 mmHg
D. 60 mmHg
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: P50 is the partial pressure of oxygen at which hemoglobin is
50% saturated, normally around 26-27 mmHg.
5. A patient’s ABG shows pH 7.20, PaCO2 65 mmHg, and HCO3 26 mEq/L. This is interpreted
as:
A. Compensated Respiratory Acidosis
B. Uncompensated Respiratory Acidosis
C. Uncompensated Metabolic Acidosis
D. Partially Compensated Respiratory Acidosis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The pH is low (acidosis), PaCO2 is high (respiratory), and the
HCO3 is within normal range, indicating no compensation has occurred yet.
6. A therapist is using a 80/20 Heliox mixture. The flowmeter reads 10 L/min. What is the
actual flow to the patient?
A. 10 L/min
B. 14 L/min
C. 16 L/min
