1
NBRC TMC PRACTICE EXAM 2026/2027 |
RESPIRATORY THERAPY | 80 VERIFIED
Q&A | DETAILED RATIONALES | PASS
GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: PATIENT ASSESSMENT AND MONITORING – Questions 1-10
Q1: Arterial Blood Gas Interpretation
A 50-year-old patient presents with the following ABG: pH 7.25, PaCO2 60 mmHg, HCO3 26 mEq/L,
PaO2 55 mmHg. How should the respiratory therapist interpret this?
A. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
B. Partially compensated respiratory acidosis
C. Fully compensated respiratory acidosis
D. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The pH is acidotic (7.25 < 7.35), PaCO2 is elevated (60 > 45), indicating respiratory
acidosis. The HCO3 is normal (26), indicating no metabolic compensation. Therefore, this is
uncompensated respiratory acidosis. Partially compensated (B) would have elevated HCO3. Fully
compensated (C) would have a normal pH. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis (D) would have low
HCO3. [100% CORRECT]
Q2: Oximetry Interpretation
A respiratory therapist is monitoring a patient with a SpO2 of 90%. According to the oxyhemoglobin
dissociation curve, what is the approximate PaO2?
A. 40 mmHg
B. 50 mmHg
C. 60 mmHg
D. 70 mmHg
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: According to the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve, a SpO2 of 90% corresponds to a PaO2
of approximately 60 mmHg. A PaO2 of 40 mmHg (A) corresponds to a SpO2 of approximately 75%. A
PaO2 of 50 mmHg (B) corresponds to a SpO2 of approximately 85%. A PaO2 of 70 mmHg (D)
corresponds to a SpO2 of approximately 93%. [100% CORRECT]
Q3: Chest X-Ray Interpretation
,2
A respiratory therapist is reviewing a chest X-ray of a patient with a suspected pneumothorax. Which
of the following findings is most consistent with this diagnosis?
A. Increased lung markings
B. Blunting of the costophrenic angle
C. Absent lung markings with a visceral pleural line
D. Cardiomegaly
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A pneumothorax is characterized by absent lung markings and a visible visceral pleural
line on chest X-ray. Increased lung markings (A) would suggest consolidation. Blunting of the
costophrenic angle (B) would suggest pleural effusion. Cardiomegaly (D) would show an enlarged
cardiac silhouette. [100% CORRECT]
Q4: Patient History - Allergy Assessment
A respiratory therapist is obtaining a patient history. Which of the following questions is most
important for assessing allergies?
A. "Do you have any allergies?"
B. "What allergies do you have and what reactions do you experience?"
C. "Have you ever been hospitalized?"
D. "Do you smoke?"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The most important question for assessing allergies is a detailed list of allergies and
reactions. "Do you have any allergies?" (A) is too vague. "Have you ever been hospitalized?" (C)
assesses medical history. "Do you smoke?" (D) assesses smoking history. [100% CORRECT]
Q5: Physical Examination - Breath Sounds
A respiratory therapist is auscultating a patient's chest and hears a grating sound during both
inspiration and expiration. What are these breath sounds called?
A. Crackles
B. Wheezes
C. Rhonchi
D. Pleural friction rub
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A pleural friction rub is a grating sound heard during both inspiration and expiration,
indicating inflammation of the pleural surfaces. Crackles (A) are discontinuous sounds heard during
inspiration. Wheezes (B) are high-pitched, continuous sounds. Rhonchi (C) are low-pitched,
continuous sounds. [100% CORRECT]
Q6: Vital Signs Interpretation
, 3
A respiratory therapist is assessing a patient with a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min, heart rate of
50 beats/min, and blood pressure of 150/95 mmHg. How should these vital signs be interpreted?
A. Normal
B. Tachypnea, tachycardia, and hypotension
C. Bradypnea, bradycardia, and hypertension
D. Tachypnea, bradycardia, and hypotension
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 8 is decreased (bradypnea), heart rate of 50 is decreased
(bradycardia), and blood pressure of 150/95 is elevated (hypertension). Normal (A) is incorrect.
Tachypnea, tachycardia, and hypotension (B) would be elevated respiratory rate, elevated heart
rate, and low blood pressure. Tachypnea, bradycardia, and hypotension (D) would be elevated
respiratory rate, decreased heart rate, and low blood pressure. [100% CORRECT]
Q7: Pulse Oximetry Limitations
A respiratory therapist is monitoring a patient with carbon monoxide poisoning. The SpO2 reads
99%. How should this be interpreted?
A. Normal oxygenation
B. Falsely elevated SpO2
C. Falsely decreased SpO2
D. Accurate SpO2
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pulse oximetry cannot distinguish between oxyhemoglobin and carboxyhemoglobin. In
carbon monoxide poisoning, the SpO2 may be falsely elevated. Normal oxygenation (A) is incorrect.
Falsely decreased SpO2 (C) is incorrect. Accurate SpO2 (D) is incorrect. [100% CORRECT]
Q8: Capnography Interpretation
A respiratory therapist is monitoring a patient with capnography. The EtCO2 is 55 mmHg. What is
the most likely cause?
A. Hyperventilation
B. Hypoventilation
C. Normal finding
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An elevated EtCO2 (55 mmHg) indicates hypoventilation, which causes CO2 retention.
Hyperventilation (A) would cause a decreased EtCO2. Normal finding (C) would be 35-45 mmHg.
Respiratory alkalosis (D) would be associated with hyperventilation and decreased EtCO2. [100%
CORRECT]
NBRC TMC PRACTICE EXAM 2026/2027 |
RESPIRATORY THERAPY | 80 VERIFIED
Q&A | DETAILED RATIONALES | PASS
GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: PATIENT ASSESSMENT AND MONITORING – Questions 1-10
Q1: Arterial Blood Gas Interpretation
A 50-year-old patient presents with the following ABG: pH 7.25, PaCO2 60 mmHg, HCO3 26 mEq/L,
PaO2 55 mmHg. How should the respiratory therapist interpret this?
A. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
B. Partially compensated respiratory acidosis
C. Fully compensated respiratory acidosis
D. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The pH is acidotic (7.25 < 7.35), PaCO2 is elevated (60 > 45), indicating respiratory
acidosis. The HCO3 is normal (26), indicating no metabolic compensation. Therefore, this is
uncompensated respiratory acidosis. Partially compensated (B) would have elevated HCO3. Fully
compensated (C) would have a normal pH. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis (D) would have low
HCO3. [100% CORRECT]
Q2: Oximetry Interpretation
A respiratory therapist is monitoring a patient with a SpO2 of 90%. According to the oxyhemoglobin
dissociation curve, what is the approximate PaO2?
A. 40 mmHg
B. 50 mmHg
C. 60 mmHg
D. 70 mmHg
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: According to the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve, a SpO2 of 90% corresponds to a PaO2
of approximately 60 mmHg. A PaO2 of 40 mmHg (A) corresponds to a SpO2 of approximately 75%. A
PaO2 of 50 mmHg (B) corresponds to a SpO2 of approximately 85%. A PaO2 of 70 mmHg (D)
corresponds to a SpO2 of approximately 93%. [100% CORRECT]
Q3: Chest X-Ray Interpretation
,2
A respiratory therapist is reviewing a chest X-ray of a patient with a suspected pneumothorax. Which
of the following findings is most consistent with this diagnosis?
A. Increased lung markings
B. Blunting of the costophrenic angle
C. Absent lung markings with a visceral pleural line
D. Cardiomegaly
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A pneumothorax is characterized by absent lung markings and a visible visceral pleural
line on chest X-ray. Increased lung markings (A) would suggest consolidation. Blunting of the
costophrenic angle (B) would suggest pleural effusion. Cardiomegaly (D) would show an enlarged
cardiac silhouette. [100% CORRECT]
Q4: Patient History - Allergy Assessment
A respiratory therapist is obtaining a patient history. Which of the following questions is most
important for assessing allergies?
A. "Do you have any allergies?"
B. "What allergies do you have and what reactions do you experience?"
C. "Have you ever been hospitalized?"
D. "Do you smoke?"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The most important question for assessing allergies is a detailed list of allergies and
reactions. "Do you have any allergies?" (A) is too vague. "Have you ever been hospitalized?" (C)
assesses medical history. "Do you smoke?" (D) assesses smoking history. [100% CORRECT]
Q5: Physical Examination - Breath Sounds
A respiratory therapist is auscultating a patient's chest and hears a grating sound during both
inspiration and expiration. What are these breath sounds called?
A. Crackles
B. Wheezes
C. Rhonchi
D. Pleural friction rub
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A pleural friction rub is a grating sound heard during both inspiration and expiration,
indicating inflammation of the pleural surfaces. Crackles (A) are discontinuous sounds heard during
inspiration. Wheezes (B) are high-pitched, continuous sounds. Rhonchi (C) are low-pitched,
continuous sounds. [100% CORRECT]
Q6: Vital Signs Interpretation
, 3
A respiratory therapist is assessing a patient with a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min, heart rate of
50 beats/min, and blood pressure of 150/95 mmHg. How should these vital signs be interpreted?
A. Normal
B. Tachypnea, tachycardia, and hypotension
C. Bradypnea, bradycardia, and hypertension
D. Tachypnea, bradycardia, and hypotension
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 8 is decreased (bradypnea), heart rate of 50 is decreased
(bradycardia), and blood pressure of 150/95 is elevated (hypertension). Normal (A) is incorrect.
Tachypnea, tachycardia, and hypotension (B) would be elevated respiratory rate, elevated heart
rate, and low blood pressure. Tachypnea, bradycardia, and hypotension (D) would be elevated
respiratory rate, decreased heart rate, and low blood pressure. [100% CORRECT]
Q7: Pulse Oximetry Limitations
A respiratory therapist is monitoring a patient with carbon monoxide poisoning. The SpO2 reads
99%. How should this be interpreted?
A. Normal oxygenation
B. Falsely elevated SpO2
C. Falsely decreased SpO2
D. Accurate SpO2
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pulse oximetry cannot distinguish between oxyhemoglobin and carboxyhemoglobin. In
carbon monoxide poisoning, the SpO2 may be falsely elevated. Normal oxygenation (A) is incorrect.
Falsely decreased SpO2 (C) is incorrect. Accurate SpO2 (D) is incorrect. [100% CORRECT]
Q8: Capnography Interpretation
A respiratory therapist is monitoring a patient with capnography. The EtCO2 is 55 mmHg. What is
the most likely cause?
A. Hyperventilation
B. Hypoventilation
C. Normal finding
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An elevated EtCO2 (55 mmHg) indicates hypoventilation, which causes CO2 retention.
Hyperventilation (A) would cause a decreased EtCO2. Normal finding (C) would be 35-45 mmHg.
Respiratory alkalosis (D) would be associated with hyperventilation and decreased EtCO2. [100%
CORRECT]
