NBRC TMC
NBRC TMC Exam Practice Questions: 431 Respiratory
Therapy Questions with Answers & Rationales
Gradegurus
This exam contains:
❖NBRC TMC Exam Practice Questions
❖431 Respiratory Therapy Questions with Answers &
Rationales
,NBRC TMC Practice Questions – Correct Answers &
Rationales
Page 1
1. Which of the following is needed to calculate alveolar oxygen tension?
A. VD/VT, PAO2
B. BP and FiO2
C. PetCO2 and PaO2
D. QS/QT, deadspace
Correct Answer: B. BP and FiO2
Rationale: Barometric pressure, FiO2, and PaCO2 are all included in the alveolar air
equation (BP stands for barometric pressure). The formula is: PAO2 = (BP − 47) × FiO2 −
(PaCO.8).
2. L/min/m2 is the unit of measure for:
A. Systemic vascular resistance
B. Cardiac output
C. Cardiac index
D. Stroke volume
Correct Answer: C. Cardiac index
Rationale: Cardiac index is cardiac output normalized to body surface area, expressed
as L/min/m².
3. A spontaneously breathing patient has the following arterial blood gas results:
pH 7.38, PaCO2 42 mmHg, PaO2 76 mmHg, HCO3- 24 mEq/L, BE 0 mEq/L
,Which of the following supplemental oxygen levels is most appropriate?
A. 2 L/min nasal cannula
B. 5 L/min nasal cannula
C. Non-rebreathing mask
D. Venturi mask at 30%
Correct Answer: B. 5 L/min nasal cannula
Rationale: A patient showing signs of hypoxemia should receive supplemental oxygen. If
the patient is not a COPD patient and the situation is not an emergency, the proper
supplemental oxygen is an adult therapeutic dose of 40% to 55%. Of the options
available, only 5 L/min nasal cannula will approach this.
4. Left heart failure would be manifested in which of the following values?
A. CVP and mPAP
B. mPAP and wedge pressure
C. MAP and SVR
D. Cardiac output and wedge pressure
Correct Answer: D. Cardiac output and wedge pressure
Rationale: The function of the left heart, specifically the left ventricle, is best assessed
hemodynamically by looking at values that precede and come after the left heart.
Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) and cardiac output are the values found
before and after the left heart.
Page 2
5. Which of the following findings is most closely associated with increased airway
resistance?
A. Reduced SpO2
B. Accessory muscle use
, C. Altered P50
D. Increased PetCO2
Correct Answer: B. Accessory muscle use
Rationale: Use of accessory muscles is most closely associated with an increase in
airway resistance, especially in patients with asthma or other types of upper airway
inflammation or bronchoconstriction.
6. For a patient receiving volume-controlled mechanical ventilation, the lower inflection
point on a pressure-volume loop can best be described as:
A. Amount of pressure required to keep the alveoli and small airways open
B. Optimal PEEP
C. Minimal PEEP
D. Upper limit of residual volume
Correct Answer: A. Amount of pressure required to keep the alveoli and small airways
open
Rationale: The lowest inflection point on a pressure-volume ventilator graphic indicates
the minimum pressure needed to keep alveoli open.
7. The results of a V/Q scan shows poor perfusion with adequate ventilation. A chest
radiograph shows a wedge-shaped infiltrate over the right lung field. The patient most
likely has:
A. Fluid overload
B. ARDS
C. A pulmonary embolism
D. Pneumonia
Correct Answer: C. A pulmonary embolism
NBRC TMC Exam Practice Questions: 431 Respiratory
Therapy Questions with Answers & Rationales
Gradegurus
This exam contains:
❖NBRC TMC Exam Practice Questions
❖431 Respiratory Therapy Questions with Answers &
Rationales
,NBRC TMC Practice Questions – Correct Answers &
Rationales
Page 1
1. Which of the following is needed to calculate alveolar oxygen tension?
A. VD/VT, PAO2
B. BP and FiO2
C. PetCO2 and PaO2
D. QS/QT, deadspace
Correct Answer: B. BP and FiO2
Rationale: Barometric pressure, FiO2, and PaCO2 are all included in the alveolar air
equation (BP stands for barometric pressure). The formula is: PAO2 = (BP − 47) × FiO2 −
(PaCO.8).
2. L/min/m2 is the unit of measure for:
A. Systemic vascular resistance
B. Cardiac output
C. Cardiac index
D. Stroke volume
Correct Answer: C. Cardiac index
Rationale: Cardiac index is cardiac output normalized to body surface area, expressed
as L/min/m².
3. A spontaneously breathing patient has the following arterial blood gas results:
pH 7.38, PaCO2 42 mmHg, PaO2 76 mmHg, HCO3- 24 mEq/L, BE 0 mEq/L
,Which of the following supplemental oxygen levels is most appropriate?
A. 2 L/min nasal cannula
B. 5 L/min nasal cannula
C. Non-rebreathing mask
D. Venturi mask at 30%
Correct Answer: B. 5 L/min nasal cannula
Rationale: A patient showing signs of hypoxemia should receive supplemental oxygen. If
the patient is not a COPD patient and the situation is not an emergency, the proper
supplemental oxygen is an adult therapeutic dose of 40% to 55%. Of the options
available, only 5 L/min nasal cannula will approach this.
4. Left heart failure would be manifested in which of the following values?
A. CVP and mPAP
B. mPAP and wedge pressure
C. MAP and SVR
D. Cardiac output and wedge pressure
Correct Answer: D. Cardiac output and wedge pressure
Rationale: The function of the left heart, specifically the left ventricle, is best assessed
hemodynamically by looking at values that precede and come after the left heart.
Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) and cardiac output are the values found
before and after the left heart.
Page 2
5. Which of the following findings is most closely associated with increased airway
resistance?
A. Reduced SpO2
B. Accessory muscle use
, C. Altered P50
D. Increased PetCO2
Correct Answer: B. Accessory muscle use
Rationale: Use of accessory muscles is most closely associated with an increase in
airway resistance, especially in patients with asthma or other types of upper airway
inflammation or bronchoconstriction.
6. For a patient receiving volume-controlled mechanical ventilation, the lower inflection
point on a pressure-volume loop can best be described as:
A. Amount of pressure required to keep the alveoli and small airways open
B. Optimal PEEP
C. Minimal PEEP
D. Upper limit of residual volume
Correct Answer: A. Amount of pressure required to keep the alveoli and small airways
open
Rationale: The lowest inflection point on a pressure-volume ventilator graphic indicates
the minimum pressure needed to keep alveoli open.
7. The results of a V/Q scan shows poor perfusion with adequate ventilation. A chest
radiograph shows a wedge-shaped infiltrate over the right lung field. The patient most
likely has:
A. Fluid overload
B. ARDS
C. A pulmonary embolism
D. Pneumonia
Correct Answer: C. A pulmonary embolism
