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 Practice TMC Exam
Questions & Answers Latest
Updated 2026/2027
Verified Answers Exam Ready 104 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document contains 104 respiratory therapy practice questions with their provided
correct answers and brief explanations, covering essential clinical scenarios. It is ideal for
students preparing for their respiratory therapy credentialing exams, allowing for focused
review and self-assessment of knowledge in key practice areas. This resource directly
aligns with certification preparation needs.
TOPICS
• Gas Exchange & Physiology • Mechanical Ventilation
• Airway Management & Procedures • Pharmacology & Aerosol Therapy
• Diagnostics & Monitoring • Patient Assessment & Conditions
Page 1
, E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 104
A patient shows a right sided pleural effusion. Which of the following should the respiratory
therapist recommend?
A. sputum culture and gram stain
B. diagnostic bronchoscopy
C. pleurodesis
D. thoracentesis
ANSWER
D. Thoracentesis
Thoracentesis - a medical procedure that involves inserting a needle or catheter into the chest
wall to remove fluid or air from the pleural space, the space between the lungs and chest wall.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 104
A mini-bronchoalveolar lavage procedure is recommended for diagnosis?
A. ventilator associated pneumonia
B. pleural effusion
C. pulmonary embolism
D. idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
ANSWER
A. ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP)
Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 104
A pt is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of pneumonia. A CXR indicates infiltrates in
the right lower lobe with elevation of the right hemidiaphragm. The pt has a cough
producing a minimal amount of tenacious, purulent sputum. Which of the following should
the RT do?
A. perform nasotracheal suctioning
B. administer a mucolytic agent
C. initiate incentive spirometry q4h
D. recommend vibratory PEP therapy
Page 2
, ANSWER
D. recommend vibratory PEP therapy
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 104
A 30yo female who is 5'4" is admitted to the ICU due to ARDS. SpO2 is 84% while the pt is
receiving O2 from NRB mask. Which of the following settings for VC ventilation are most
appropriate?
A. SIMV FiO2 1.0/ RR15/ Vt500/ Ti 1.1/ PEEP 15
B. A/C FiO2 1.0/ RR20/ Vt390/ Ti 0.8/ PEEP 10
C. SIMV FiO2 0.9/ RR25/ Vt290/ Ti 1.5/ PEEP 10
D. A/C FiO2 0.9/ RR35/ Vt 325/ Ti 1.2/ PEEP 15
ANSWER
B. A/C FiO2 1.0/ RR20/ Vt390/ Ti 0.8/ PEEP 10
Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 104
A 41yo male is admitted to the hospital for hypoxemic respiratory failure following a 6hr
commercial flight. He is c/o chest pain and SOB. His physical examination reveals a temp of
37C (98.6F) with diminished bs. After minimal improvement in SpO2 with initiation of O2 by
NRB mask, pt is intubated and VC ventilation is initiated. The following data are available:
set Vt 600mL; Vte 590mL; PEEP 5; PIP 27cmH2O; Pplat 22cmH2O
Which of the following is most likely to explain the pt respiratory failure?
A. asthma
B. pneumonia
C. pulmonary embolus
D. bronchial obstruction
ANSWER
C. pulmonary embolus
Page 3
, Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 104
A CXR for a 58yo female shows right lower lobe atelectasis. Which of the following positions
should the RT recommend to improve oxygenation?
A. supine
B. prone
C. left lateral decubitus
D. right lateral decubitus
ANSWER
C. left lateral decibitus
Q7 QUESTION 7 OF 104
A 63yo presents to the ED with recent onset of fever, chills, cough, and shortness of breath.
Bronchial breath sounds are noted in the left lung base. An AP CXR will most likely reveal
A. patchy infiltrates of the dependent segments
B. increased density with air bronchograms
C. multiple fibronodular cavitations
D. bilateral ground-glass appearance
ANSWER
B. increased density with air bronchograms
Q8 QUESTION 8 OF 104
After decreasing MAP in a patient receiving PPV, urinary output increased. This is most likely
a result in increase in:
A. cardiac index
B. serum osmolality
C. tissue oxygenation
D. PCWP
ANSWER
D. PCWP
Page 4
NBRC Practice TMC Exam
Questions & Answers Latest
Updated 2026/2027
Verified Answers Exam Ready 104 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document contains 104 respiratory therapy practice questions with their provided
correct answers and brief explanations, covering essential clinical scenarios. It is ideal for
students preparing for their respiratory therapy credentialing exams, allowing for focused
review and self-assessment of knowledge in key practice areas. This resource directly
aligns with certification preparation needs.
TOPICS
• Gas Exchange & Physiology • Mechanical Ventilation
• Airway Management & Procedures • Pharmacology & Aerosol Therapy
• Diagnostics & Monitoring • Patient Assessment & Conditions
Page 1
, E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 104
A patient shows a right sided pleural effusion. Which of the following should the respiratory
therapist recommend?
A. sputum culture and gram stain
B. diagnostic bronchoscopy
C. pleurodesis
D. thoracentesis
ANSWER
D. Thoracentesis
Thoracentesis - a medical procedure that involves inserting a needle or catheter into the chest
wall to remove fluid or air from the pleural space, the space between the lungs and chest wall.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 104
A mini-bronchoalveolar lavage procedure is recommended for diagnosis?
A. ventilator associated pneumonia
B. pleural effusion
C. pulmonary embolism
D. idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
ANSWER
A. ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP)
Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 104
A pt is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of pneumonia. A CXR indicates infiltrates in
the right lower lobe with elevation of the right hemidiaphragm. The pt has a cough
producing a minimal amount of tenacious, purulent sputum. Which of the following should
the RT do?
A. perform nasotracheal suctioning
B. administer a mucolytic agent
C. initiate incentive spirometry q4h
D. recommend vibratory PEP therapy
Page 2
, ANSWER
D. recommend vibratory PEP therapy
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 104
A 30yo female who is 5'4" is admitted to the ICU due to ARDS. SpO2 is 84% while the pt is
receiving O2 from NRB mask. Which of the following settings for VC ventilation are most
appropriate?
A. SIMV FiO2 1.0/ RR15/ Vt500/ Ti 1.1/ PEEP 15
B. A/C FiO2 1.0/ RR20/ Vt390/ Ti 0.8/ PEEP 10
C. SIMV FiO2 0.9/ RR25/ Vt290/ Ti 1.5/ PEEP 10
D. A/C FiO2 0.9/ RR35/ Vt 325/ Ti 1.2/ PEEP 15
ANSWER
B. A/C FiO2 1.0/ RR20/ Vt390/ Ti 0.8/ PEEP 10
Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 104
A 41yo male is admitted to the hospital for hypoxemic respiratory failure following a 6hr
commercial flight. He is c/o chest pain and SOB. His physical examination reveals a temp of
37C (98.6F) with diminished bs. After minimal improvement in SpO2 with initiation of O2 by
NRB mask, pt is intubated and VC ventilation is initiated. The following data are available:
set Vt 600mL; Vte 590mL; PEEP 5; PIP 27cmH2O; Pplat 22cmH2O
Which of the following is most likely to explain the pt respiratory failure?
A. asthma
B. pneumonia
C. pulmonary embolus
D. bronchial obstruction
ANSWER
C. pulmonary embolus
Page 3
, Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 104
A CXR for a 58yo female shows right lower lobe atelectasis. Which of the following positions
should the RT recommend to improve oxygenation?
A. supine
B. prone
C. left lateral decubitus
D. right lateral decubitus
ANSWER
C. left lateral decibitus
Q7 QUESTION 7 OF 104
A 63yo presents to the ED with recent onset of fever, chills, cough, and shortness of breath.
Bronchial breath sounds are noted in the left lung base. An AP CXR will most likely reveal
A. patchy infiltrates of the dependent segments
B. increased density with air bronchograms
C. multiple fibronodular cavitations
D. bilateral ground-glass appearance
ANSWER
B. increased density with air bronchograms
Q8 QUESTION 8 OF 104
After decreasing MAP in a patient receiving PPV, urinary output increased. This is most likely
a result in increase in:
A. cardiac index
B. serum osmolality
C. tissue oxygenation
D. PCWP
ANSWER
D. PCWP
Page 4
