RRT/TMC Final Exam Questions
And Answers 2026|Well
Structured
SECTION 1: PATIENT DATA EVALUATION & ASSESSMENT (Questions 1–25)
1. Which of the following specialized imaging tests would be most useful in
diagnosing a pulmonary embolus?
A) Chest X-ray
B) Pulmonary function test (PFT)
C) Ventilation-perfusion scan (V/Q scan)
D) Arterial blood gas (ABG)
A chest X-ray and ABG might detect an abnormality, but not specifically
pulmonary emboli. PFTs reveal flow and volume abnormalities but no perfusion
problems. A V/Q scan shows lack of blood flow due to emboli in the pulmonary
circulation.
2. A patient's tobacco use is calculated as 1.5 packs per day for 20 years. What is
the pack-year history?
A) 15 pack-years
B) 30 pack-years
C) 20 pack-years
D) 35 pack-years
Pack-years are calculated by multiplying packs per day by years smoked: 1.5 ×
20 = 30 pack-years.
3. Which of the following physical findings would you expect in an alert but
anxious asthmatic patient admitted to the ED?
,A) Respiratory acidosis
B) Respiratory alkalosis
C) Clubbing
D) Cor pulmonale
Asthmatics typically present with respiratory alkalosis. Shortness of breath
and hypoxemia cause increased breathing rate, leading to alkalosis. Once
hypoxemia is relieved, PaCO₂ and pH normalize.
4. A WBC count of 22,000 in a febrile patient with respiratory distress most likely
indicates:
A) Bacterial pneumonia
B) Emphysema
C) Pulmonary embolus
D) Pulmonary fibrosis
The elevated WBC suggests bacterial infection. Respiratory distress points to a
respiratory infection such as bacterial pneumonia. The other conditions are not
infectious processes.
5. A PET scan would be most useful in diagnosing which condition?
A) Bronchogenic carcinoma
B) Chronic bronchitis
C) Asthma
D) Smoke inhalation
A PET scan is a nuclear imaging technique used for diagnosis, staging, and
management of tumors and cancer. Bronchogenic carcinoma describes lung
cancer.
6. Negative inspiratory pressure (NIF/MIP) determines which of the following?
A) Airway resistance
B) Functional residual capacity
,C) Respiratory muscle strength
D) Sustained maximal inspiration
NIF/MIP is used for bedside assessment of respiratory muscle strength. Airway
resistance is pressure divided by flow; FRC and SMI are volume measurements.
7. Digital clubbing is most commonly associated with which of the following?
A) Acute bacterial pneumonia
B) Chronic hypoxemia
C) Vitamin deficiency
D) Medication side effects
Digital clubbing results from chronic hypoxemia and proliferation of vascular
connective tissue at the distal phalanges. It is seen in cystic fibrosis,
bronchiectasis, lung cancer, and congenital heart disease.
8. A patient post-thoracic surgery has absent breath sounds on the right,
tracheal deviation to the left, and subcutaneous emphysema. This indicates:
A) Right-sided pneumothorax or tension pneumothorax
B) Pleural effusion
C) Pneumonia
D) Bilateral atelectasis
Absent breath sounds with tracheal deviation AWAY from the affected side
indicates pneumothorax. Pleural effusion causes dullness; pneumonia would have
crackles; bilateral atelectasis causes tracheal deviation toward the affected side.
9. A patient with COPD presents with peripheral edema, JVD, and prominent P2.
This indicates:
A) Left heart failure
B) Cor pulmonale
C) Aortic regurgitation
D) Pulmonary embolism
, Cor pulmonale presents with right heart failure signs (JVD, peripheral edema,
P2 loudness) secondary to chronic pulmonary hypertension from COPD.
10. Paradoxical abdominal movement during inspiration indicates:
A) Normal breathing
B) Diaphragmatic weakness/paralysis
C) Improving respiratory status
D) Air trapping
Paradoxical abdominal movement (inward during inspiration) indicates
diaphragmatic weakness, as the weakened diaphragm is drawn upward by
negative intrathoracic pressure.
11. Dullness to percussion, increased tactile fremitus, and bronchial breath
sounds over the right lower lobe indicate:
A) Pneumothorax
B) Consolidation (lobar pneumonia)
C) Pleural effusion
D) Atelectasis
Consolidation causes dullness, increased fremitus, and bronchial breath
sounds due to solidified lung tissue conducting sound. Pneumothorax has
hyperresonance; effusion has dullness but decreased fremitus.
12. What is the primary purpose of an advanced directive?
A) To authorize emergency surgery
B) To provide guidance for medical decisions if the patient becomes incapacitated
C) To transfer insurance benefits
D) To appoint a financial power of attorney
Advanced directives are legal documents outlining patient preferences for
medical treatment, ensuring wishes are respected when patients cannot
communicate them.
And Answers 2026|Well
Structured
SECTION 1: PATIENT DATA EVALUATION & ASSESSMENT (Questions 1–25)
1. Which of the following specialized imaging tests would be most useful in
diagnosing a pulmonary embolus?
A) Chest X-ray
B) Pulmonary function test (PFT)
C) Ventilation-perfusion scan (V/Q scan)
D) Arterial blood gas (ABG)
A chest X-ray and ABG might detect an abnormality, but not specifically
pulmonary emboli. PFTs reveal flow and volume abnormalities but no perfusion
problems. A V/Q scan shows lack of blood flow due to emboli in the pulmonary
circulation.
2. A patient's tobacco use is calculated as 1.5 packs per day for 20 years. What is
the pack-year history?
A) 15 pack-years
B) 30 pack-years
C) 20 pack-years
D) 35 pack-years
Pack-years are calculated by multiplying packs per day by years smoked: 1.5 ×
20 = 30 pack-years.
3. Which of the following physical findings would you expect in an alert but
anxious asthmatic patient admitted to the ED?
,A) Respiratory acidosis
B) Respiratory alkalosis
C) Clubbing
D) Cor pulmonale
Asthmatics typically present with respiratory alkalosis. Shortness of breath
and hypoxemia cause increased breathing rate, leading to alkalosis. Once
hypoxemia is relieved, PaCO₂ and pH normalize.
4. A WBC count of 22,000 in a febrile patient with respiratory distress most likely
indicates:
A) Bacterial pneumonia
B) Emphysema
C) Pulmonary embolus
D) Pulmonary fibrosis
The elevated WBC suggests bacterial infection. Respiratory distress points to a
respiratory infection such as bacterial pneumonia. The other conditions are not
infectious processes.
5. A PET scan would be most useful in diagnosing which condition?
A) Bronchogenic carcinoma
B) Chronic bronchitis
C) Asthma
D) Smoke inhalation
A PET scan is a nuclear imaging technique used for diagnosis, staging, and
management of tumors and cancer. Bronchogenic carcinoma describes lung
cancer.
6. Negative inspiratory pressure (NIF/MIP) determines which of the following?
A) Airway resistance
B) Functional residual capacity
,C) Respiratory muscle strength
D) Sustained maximal inspiration
NIF/MIP is used for bedside assessment of respiratory muscle strength. Airway
resistance is pressure divided by flow; FRC and SMI are volume measurements.
7. Digital clubbing is most commonly associated with which of the following?
A) Acute bacterial pneumonia
B) Chronic hypoxemia
C) Vitamin deficiency
D) Medication side effects
Digital clubbing results from chronic hypoxemia and proliferation of vascular
connective tissue at the distal phalanges. It is seen in cystic fibrosis,
bronchiectasis, lung cancer, and congenital heart disease.
8. A patient post-thoracic surgery has absent breath sounds on the right,
tracheal deviation to the left, and subcutaneous emphysema. This indicates:
A) Right-sided pneumothorax or tension pneumothorax
B) Pleural effusion
C) Pneumonia
D) Bilateral atelectasis
Absent breath sounds with tracheal deviation AWAY from the affected side
indicates pneumothorax. Pleural effusion causes dullness; pneumonia would have
crackles; bilateral atelectasis causes tracheal deviation toward the affected side.
9. A patient with COPD presents with peripheral edema, JVD, and prominent P2.
This indicates:
A) Left heart failure
B) Cor pulmonale
C) Aortic regurgitation
D) Pulmonary embolism
, Cor pulmonale presents with right heart failure signs (JVD, peripheral edema,
P2 loudness) secondary to chronic pulmonary hypertension from COPD.
10. Paradoxical abdominal movement during inspiration indicates:
A) Normal breathing
B) Diaphragmatic weakness/paralysis
C) Improving respiratory status
D) Air trapping
Paradoxical abdominal movement (inward during inspiration) indicates
diaphragmatic weakness, as the weakened diaphragm is drawn upward by
negative intrathoracic pressure.
11. Dullness to percussion, increased tactile fremitus, and bronchial breath
sounds over the right lower lobe indicate:
A) Pneumothorax
B) Consolidation (lobar pneumonia)
C) Pleural effusion
D) Atelectasis
Consolidation causes dullness, increased fremitus, and bronchial breath
sounds due to solidified lung tissue conducting sound. Pneumothorax has
hyperresonance; effusion has dullness but decreased fremitus.
12. What is the primary purpose of an advanced directive?
A) To authorize emergency surgery
B) To provide guidance for medical decisions if the patient becomes incapacitated
C) To transfer insurance benefits
D) To appoint a financial power of attorney
Advanced directives are legal documents outlining patient preferences for
medical treatment, ensuring wishes are respected when patients cannot
communicate them.
