NBRC PRACTICE EXAM WITH EXPERT CERTIFIED
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 100% PASS
The National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc.
Therapist Multiple-Choice Self-Assessment Examination
INDIVIDUAL FEEDBACK REPORT
Points: 97 of 140
Percent: 69%
1. A respiratory therapist is assisting a physician with endotracheal intubation. Which of the
following should be used INITIALLY to confirm tracheal intubation?
A. cm marking of the endotracheal tube
B. observable condensation in the tube
C. pulse oximetry
D.√ colorimetric capnography
EXPLANATIONS:
(u) A. The cm mark of the endotracheal tube is an indicator of the depth of insertion, but
does not confirm placement of the endotracheal tube in the trachea.
(u) B. Condensation is often associated with tracheal intubation, but it is not
confirmation of correct placement.
(u) C. Pulse oximetry is an assessment of oxygenation and does not provide
confirmation of tracheal intubation.
(c) D. Colorimetric capnography assesses the presence of CO2 and provides
confirmation of tracheal intubation when CO2 is detected.
2. A respiratory therapist is asked to review a newborn's history. The following information is
available about the first few minutes after birth:
, 1 minute 5 minutes
Color acrocyanosis pink
Heart rate 70/min 110/min
Reflex cough cough
Muscle tone weak active motion
Respiratory rate 20/min 40/min
Which of the following APGAR scores should the therapist expect to see for this infant?
1-minute 5-minute
1. 4 8
2. 5 8
3. 6 10
4. 7 10
A. 1
B. 2
C.√ 3
D. 4
EXPLANATIONS:
(u) A. See C for determination.
(u) B. See C for determination.
(c) C. The APGAR scoring system consists of the following:
Score 0 1 2
Color pale or blue acrocyanosis completely pink
Heart rate absent < 100 per minute > 100 per minute
Reflex no response grimace cry, cough, sneeze
Muscle tone limp some flexion active motion
Respiratory rate absent slow, irregular good cry
The score for 1 minute is 6: acrocyanosis = 1, heart rate of 70/min = 1, cough = 2, weak
activity = 1, respiratory rate of 20/min = 1.
The score for 5 minutes is 10: pink = 2, heart rate of 110/min = 2, cough = 2, active
motion = 2, respiratory rate of 40/min = 2.
(u) D. See C for determination.
,3. A 58-year-old female was diagnosed with bronchiectasis 3 years ago. She reports
increased cough and difficulty clearing secretions for the past 4 weeks. A chest radiograph
shows no significant changes. Which of the following should the respiratory therapist
recommend FIRST?
A. transtracheal aspiration
B. airway clearance therapy
C.X bronchodilator treatments
D. respiratory isolation
EXPLANATIONS:
(u) A. While a sputum sample may be requested, transtracheal aspiration would be
unnecessarily invasive as the patient is able to produce a sputum sample on her own.
(c) B. The history, clinical presentation, and chest radiograph findings suggest
worsening bronchiectasis. The treatment of bronchiectasis includes techniques to
loosen and mobilize viscid secretions. Postural drainage enhances sputum clearance.
(h) C. Bronchodilator therapy alone will not aid in secretion removal.
(u) D. There is no indication of this patient having a communicable disease. The
diagnosis of bronchiectasis was established 3 years ago.
4. A 24-year-old female is diagnosed with exercise-induced asthma and albuterol prn is
ordered. A respiratory therapist should NEXT
A. refer the patient for allergy skin testing.
B. educate the patient on obtaining daily peak flow measurements.
C.√ instruct the patient to use albuterol 15 minutes before exercising.
D. suggest the patient use pursed lip breathing while exercising.
EXPLANATIONS:
(u) A. Allergy skin testing is not a routine part of exercise-induced asthma management.
(u) B. Daily peak flow measurements will not be helpful for exercise-induced asthma.
(c) C. Patient understanding of their disease process and triggers is important part of
patient education, as well as knowing when and which medication should be taken.
, (u) D. Pursed lip breathing is not helpful for exercise-induced asthma.
5. In which of the following circumstances will tracheal secretions tend to dry in an intubated
patient?
A. a water vapor pressure of 47 mm Hg
B.√ a relative humidity of 100% at 22° C (71.6° F)
C. a dew point of 37° C (98.6° F)
D. an absolute humidity of 44 mg/L
EXPLANATIONS:
(u) A. A water vapor pressure of 47 mm Hg provides 100% humidity at body
temperature.
(c) B. The absolute humidity at this temperature is inadequate.
(u) C. A dew point of 37° C (98.6° F) indicates the gas is completely saturated at that
temperature.
(u) D. The absolute tracheal humidity must be greater than or equal to 30 mg/L.
6. Prior to suctioning the endotracheal tube of an adult patient who is receiving
ventilation with an FIO2 of 0.40, a respiratory therapist should FIRST
A. lubricate the catheter.
B.√ hyperoxygenate the patient.
C. cleanse the catheter with water.
D. administer an FIO2 of 0.40 by T-piece.
EXPLANATIONS:
(u) A. Lubricating the catheter is not necessary unless nasotracheal suctioning will be
performed.
(c) B. The FIO2 should be increased prior to each suctioning attempt to minimize
hypoxemia.
(u) C. Sterile suction catheters do not need to be cleansed prior to use.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 100% PASS
The National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc.
Therapist Multiple-Choice Self-Assessment Examination
INDIVIDUAL FEEDBACK REPORT
Points: 97 of 140
Percent: 69%
1. A respiratory therapist is assisting a physician with endotracheal intubation. Which of the
following should be used INITIALLY to confirm tracheal intubation?
A. cm marking of the endotracheal tube
B. observable condensation in the tube
C. pulse oximetry
D.√ colorimetric capnography
EXPLANATIONS:
(u) A. The cm mark of the endotracheal tube is an indicator of the depth of insertion, but
does not confirm placement of the endotracheal tube in the trachea.
(u) B. Condensation is often associated with tracheal intubation, but it is not
confirmation of correct placement.
(u) C. Pulse oximetry is an assessment of oxygenation and does not provide
confirmation of tracheal intubation.
(c) D. Colorimetric capnography assesses the presence of CO2 and provides
confirmation of tracheal intubation when CO2 is detected.
2. A respiratory therapist is asked to review a newborn's history. The following information is
available about the first few minutes after birth:
, 1 minute 5 minutes
Color acrocyanosis pink
Heart rate 70/min 110/min
Reflex cough cough
Muscle tone weak active motion
Respiratory rate 20/min 40/min
Which of the following APGAR scores should the therapist expect to see for this infant?
1-minute 5-minute
1. 4 8
2. 5 8
3. 6 10
4. 7 10
A. 1
B. 2
C.√ 3
D. 4
EXPLANATIONS:
(u) A. See C for determination.
(u) B. See C for determination.
(c) C. The APGAR scoring system consists of the following:
Score 0 1 2
Color pale or blue acrocyanosis completely pink
Heart rate absent < 100 per minute > 100 per minute
Reflex no response grimace cry, cough, sneeze
Muscle tone limp some flexion active motion
Respiratory rate absent slow, irregular good cry
The score for 1 minute is 6: acrocyanosis = 1, heart rate of 70/min = 1, cough = 2, weak
activity = 1, respiratory rate of 20/min = 1.
The score for 5 minutes is 10: pink = 2, heart rate of 110/min = 2, cough = 2, active
motion = 2, respiratory rate of 40/min = 2.
(u) D. See C for determination.
,3. A 58-year-old female was diagnosed with bronchiectasis 3 years ago. She reports
increased cough and difficulty clearing secretions for the past 4 weeks. A chest radiograph
shows no significant changes. Which of the following should the respiratory therapist
recommend FIRST?
A. transtracheal aspiration
B. airway clearance therapy
C.X bronchodilator treatments
D. respiratory isolation
EXPLANATIONS:
(u) A. While a sputum sample may be requested, transtracheal aspiration would be
unnecessarily invasive as the patient is able to produce a sputum sample on her own.
(c) B. The history, clinical presentation, and chest radiograph findings suggest
worsening bronchiectasis. The treatment of bronchiectasis includes techniques to
loosen and mobilize viscid secretions. Postural drainage enhances sputum clearance.
(h) C. Bronchodilator therapy alone will not aid in secretion removal.
(u) D. There is no indication of this patient having a communicable disease. The
diagnosis of bronchiectasis was established 3 years ago.
4. A 24-year-old female is diagnosed with exercise-induced asthma and albuterol prn is
ordered. A respiratory therapist should NEXT
A. refer the patient for allergy skin testing.
B. educate the patient on obtaining daily peak flow measurements.
C.√ instruct the patient to use albuterol 15 minutes before exercising.
D. suggest the patient use pursed lip breathing while exercising.
EXPLANATIONS:
(u) A. Allergy skin testing is not a routine part of exercise-induced asthma management.
(u) B. Daily peak flow measurements will not be helpful for exercise-induced asthma.
(c) C. Patient understanding of their disease process and triggers is important part of
patient education, as well as knowing when and which medication should be taken.
, (u) D. Pursed lip breathing is not helpful for exercise-induced asthma.
5. In which of the following circumstances will tracheal secretions tend to dry in an intubated
patient?
A. a water vapor pressure of 47 mm Hg
B.√ a relative humidity of 100% at 22° C (71.6° F)
C. a dew point of 37° C (98.6° F)
D. an absolute humidity of 44 mg/L
EXPLANATIONS:
(u) A. A water vapor pressure of 47 mm Hg provides 100% humidity at body
temperature.
(c) B. The absolute humidity at this temperature is inadequate.
(u) C. A dew point of 37° C (98.6° F) indicates the gas is completely saturated at that
temperature.
(u) D. The absolute tracheal humidity must be greater than or equal to 30 mg/L.
6. Prior to suctioning the endotracheal tube of an adult patient who is receiving
ventilation with an FIO2 of 0.40, a respiratory therapist should FIRST
A. lubricate the catheter.
B.√ hyperoxygenate the patient.
C. cleanse the catheter with water.
D. administer an FIO2 of 0.40 by T-piece.
EXPLANATIONS:
(u) A. Lubricating the catheter is not necessary unless nasotracheal suctioning will be
performed.
(c) B. The FIO2 should be increased prior to each suctioning attempt to minimize
hypoxemia.
(u) C. Sterile suction catheters do not need to be cleansed prior to use.
