P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
NBRC TMC CRT RRT Exam
Questions & Answers
Comprehensive 2026/2027
National Board for
Respiratory Care
Verified Answers Exam Ready 140 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This comprehensive document provides 140 National Board for Respiratory Care exam
questions, each accompanied by its correct answer and including diagrams. It offers a
robust review of respiratory care principles and clinical scenarios. This resource is ideal for
students preparing for respiratory therapy certification exams and for professionals
reviewing essential knowledge.
TOPICS
• Cardiopulmonary Emergencies & • Patient Assessment & Monitoring
Critical Care
• Mechanical Ventilation • Pulmonary Physiology & Diagnostics
• Airway Management & Procedures • Pharmacology & Aerosol Therapy
Page 1
, E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 140
A patient with Guillain-Barre syndrome has a vital capacity of 625mL. An RT should
recommend which of the following be performed FIRST?
A. MIP evaluation
B. Edrophonium Chloride (Tensilon) test
C. MVV test
D. EMG and nerve conduction study
ANSWER
A. MIP
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 140
A patient in the ICU complains of light headedness, nausea, and chest pains. The patient is
diaphoretic and has a blood pressure of 90/60mmHg. What should the RT recommend?
A. Lidocaine HCl
B. Cardioversion
C. Defibrillation
D. Epinephrine
ANSWER
B. Cardioversion
Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 140
Which of the following beside pulmonary function testing results for a patient with multiple
sclerosis most strongly indicates the need for ventilatory assistance?
A. 5% decrease in peak expiratory flow
B. FEV1/FVC 85%
C. MIP of -23cmH2O
D. Vital Capacity of 5 mL/kg
Page 2
, ANSWER
D. Vital capacity of 5mL/kg
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 140
A 52-year-old patient with newly diagnosed OSA undergoes a CPAP titration study. With a
CPAP of 12cm H2O, the AHI is 3 and the lowest observed oxygen saturation is 90%. The
patient continues to snore, what should the RT do?
ANSWER
Increase the CPAP level
Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 140
An RT is asked to perform an apnea test on a patient for whom brain death is clinically
suspected. What should the RT confirm prior to performing the test?
ANSWER
Body temperature greater than 36C (96.8F)
Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 140
An RT arrives to perform a vibratory PEP on a patient with cystic fibrosis. The patient
confides he has begun coughing up blood, but does not want anyone to know. What should
the RT do?
ANSWER
Hold the therapy and inform the physician about the hemoptysis
Q7 QUESTION 7 OF 140
An RT will assist a physician perform cardioversion for a spontaneously breathing patient
with supraventricular tachycardia. The patient is alert and awake. What steps should be
performed in preparation for this procedure?
Page 3
, ANSWER
1. Supplemental O2
2. Gather airway equipment
3. Sedate the patient
Do NOT intubate the patient
Q8 QUESTION 8 OF 140
Which device provides 100% humidity at body temperature?
ANSWER
Heated-wick humidifier
Q9 QUESTION 9 OF 140
A 24-year-old male is admitted to the ED after being pulled from a burning building. The
patient has 2nd degree burns on the face and chest. The following vital signs are observed
HR 145/RR 32/SpO2 100%
BP: 131/85
Skin tone is normal. What should the RT recommend first?
ANSWER
Carboxyhemoglobin level
Q10 QUESTION 10 OF 140
Results of a sleep study reveal a patient has OSA with marked oxygen desaturation. What
therapy should be recommended for the patient during sleep?
ANSWER
Nasal CPAP
Page 4
NBRC TMC CRT RRT Exam
Questions & Answers
Comprehensive 2026/2027
National Board for
Respiratory Care
Verified Answers Exam Ready 140 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This comprehensive document provides 140 National Board for Respiratory Care exam
questions, each accompanied by its correct answer and including diagrams. It offers a
robust review of respiratory care principles and clinical scenarios. This resource is ideal for
students preparing for respiratory therapy certification exams and for professionals
reviewing essential knowledge.
TOPICS
• Cardiopulmonary Emergencies & • Patient Assessment & Monitoring
Critical Care
• Mechanical Ventilation • Pulmonary Physiology & Diagnostics
• Airway Management & Procedures • Pharmacology & Aerosol Therapy
Page 1
, E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 140
A patient with Guillain-Barre syndrome has a vital capacity of 625mL. An RT should
recommend which of the following be performed FIRST?
A. MIP evaluation
B. Edrophonium Chloride (Tensilon) test
C. MVV test
D. EMG and nerve conduction study
ANSWER
A. MIP
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 140
A patient in the ICU complains of light headedness, nausea, and chest pains. The patient is
diaphoretic and has a blood pressure of 90/60mmHg. What should the RT recommend?
A. Lidocaine HCl
B. Cardioversion
C. Defibrillation
D. Epinephrine
ANSWER
B. Cardioversion
Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 140
Which of the following beside pulmonary function testing results for a patient with multiple
sclerosis most strongly indicates the need for ventilatory assistance?
A. 5% decrease in peak expiratory flow
B. FEV1/FVC 85%
C. MIP of -23cmH2O
D. Vital Capacity of 5 mL/kg
Page 2
, ANSWER
D. Vital capacity of 5mL/kg
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 140
A 52-year-old patient with newly diagnosed OSA undergoes a CPAP titration study. With a
CPAP of 12cm H2O, the AHI is 3 and the lowest observed oxygen saturation is 90%. The
patient continues to snore, what should the RT do?
ANSWER
Increase the CPAP level
Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 140
An RT is asked to perform an apnea test on a patient for whom brain death is clinically
suspected. What should the RT confirm prior to performing the test?
ANSWER
Body temperature greater than 36C (96.8F)
Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 140
An RT arrives to perform a vibratory PEP on a patient with cystic fibrosis. The patient
confides he has begun coughing up blood, but does not want anyone to know. What should
the RT do?
ANSWER
Hold the therapy and inform the physician about the hemoptysis
Q7 QUESTION 7 OF 140
An RT will assist a physician perform cardioversion for a spontaneously breathing patient
with supraventricular tachycardia. The patient is alert and awake. What steps should be
performed in preparation for this procedure?
Page 3
, ANSWER
1. Supplemental O2
2. Gather airway equipment
3. Sedate the patient
Do NOT intubate the patient
Q8 QUESTION 8 OF 140
Which device provides 100% humidity at body temperature?
ANSWER
Heated-wick humidifier
Q9 QUESTION 9 OF 140
A 24-year-old male is admitted to the ED after being pulled from a burning building. The
patient has 2nd degree burns on the face and chest. The following vital signs are observed
HR 145/RR 32/SpO2 100%
BP: 131/85
Skin tone is normal. What should the RT recommend first?
ANSWER
Carboxyhemoglobin level
Q10 QUESTION 10 OF 140
Results of a sleep study reveal a patient has OSA with marked oxygen desaturation. What
therapy should be recommended for the patient during sleep?
ANSWER
Nasal CPAP
Page 4
