NRCME – Respiratory Questions And Answers
With Verified Solutions Graded A+ Latest Update
2025.
What's the number # 1 risk factor for COPD - ANSWER Smoking
For any driver with COPD or other significant pulmonary conditions, what should the ME obtain/request
- ANSWER PFT (pulm func test)
Which conditions should the ME obtain PFT's - ANSWER 1) Presence of COPD
2) Hx of any lung disease
3) Symptoms of SOB, cough, chest tightness, wheezing
4) Cigarette smoker > 35 yrs of age
5) Chronic resp failure
What does a PFT measure? - ANSWER 1) Forced expiratory volume in 1st second of expiration
(FEV 1)
2) Forced vital capacity (FVC)
3) FEV 1/ FVC ratio
When does ME need to perform pulse ox and/or ABG's: - ANSWER 1) airway obstrc present &
PFT test results are
FEV 1 < 65% predicted
2) FEV 1 / FVC ratio < 65%
3) Restrictive impairment is present & FVC < 60%
4) Pulse Ox results < 92%
DO NOT certify if ABG testing shows what? - ANSWER 1) PaO2 < 65 mm/Hg @ Alt < 5, 000
feet
2) PaO2 < 60 mm/Hg @ Alt > 5, 000 feet
3) Partial pressure of arterial CO (PaCO2) > 45 mmg/Hg @ any Alt.
Reasons for a CXR - ANSWER 1) Mitral Stenosis -- annually
2) Eval significant resp abnormality
3) Eval for hypersensitivity pneumonitis
, 4) Eval PPD + test
5) Eval of spontaneous pneumothorax
Sleep Apnea Screening/testing -- sleep survey examples - ANSWER 1) Epworth sleepiness
scale
2) Berline questionnaire
3) stanford scale
Are sleep disorder guidelines considered regulatory ? - ANSWER NO, only advisory
Examples of objective tests for sleep disorders - ANSWER 1) Polysomnography
2) Napping test
3) Maintenance of wakefulness test
4) Multiple sleep latency test (MSLT)
Is supplemental oxygen DQ? - ANSWER YES
Risks associated with sleep apnea - ANSWER * drowsiness * sleepiness * lack of recognition
of s/sx
Medications use to treat respiratory issues/conditions - ANSWER 1) Antihistamines -- can
cause drowsiness
How many hours of taking antihistamines can a driver safely drive? - ANSWER no less than 12
hrs; ok to certify if > 12 hrs
Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) - ANSWER May be related to:
1) Neuro Dx
2) Depression
3) ETOH/drug use
4) Rx/OTC meds
DO NOT CERTIFY for any of the following issues: - ANSWER 1) hypoxemia @ rest
2) untreated symptomatic OSA
3) Narcolepsy
4) Primary (Idiopathic) Alveolar Hypervent Syndrome
5) Idiopathic CNS Hypersomnolence
Sleep study recommended for any drivers with @ least 2 of 3 demographic/measurements: -
ANSWER 1) Neck size > 17 for men and > 16 women
2) BMI > 35 kg
3) HTN- new, uncontrolled, and/or requires 2 + Rx to control
With Verified Solutions Graded A+ Latest Update
2025.
What's the number # 1 risk factor for COPD - ANSWER Smoking
For any driver with COPD or other significant pulmonary conditions, what should the ME obtain/request
- ANSWER PFT (pulm func test)
Which conditions should the ME obtain PFT's - ANSWER 1) Presence of COPD
2) Hx of any lung disease
3) Symptoms of SOB, cough, chest tightness, wheezing
4) Cigarette smoker > 35 yrs of age
5) Chronic resp failure
What does a PFT measure? - ANSWER 1) Forced expiratory volume in 1st second of expiration
(FEV 1)
2) Forced vital capacity (FVC)
3) FEV 1/ FVC ratio
When does ME need to perform pulse ox and/or ABG's: - ANSWER 1) airway obstrc present &
PFT test results are
FEV 1 < 65% predicted
2) FEV 1 / FVC ratio < 65%
3) Restrictive impairment is present & FVC < 60%
4) Pulse Ox results < 92%
DO NOT certify if ABG testing shows what? - ANSWER 1) PaO2 < 65 mm/Hg @ Alt < 5, 000
feet
2) PaO2 < 60 mm/Hg @ Alt > 5, 000 feet
3) Partial pressure of arterial CO (PaCO2) > 45 mmg/Hg @ any Alt.
Reasons for a CXR - ANSWER 1) Mitral Stenosis -- annually
2) Eval significant resp abnormality
3) Eval for hypersensitivity pneumonitis
, 4) Eval PPD + test
5) Eval of spontaneous pneumothorax
Sleep Apnea Screening/testing -- sleep survey examples - ANSWER 1) Epworth sleepiness
scale
2) Berline questionnaire
3) stanford scale
Are sleep disorder guidelines considered regulatory ? - ANSWER NO, only advisory
Examples of objective tests for sleep disorders - ANSWER 1) Polysomnography
2) Napping test
3) Maintenance of wakefulness test
4) Multiple sleep latency test (MSLT)
Is supplemental oxygen DQ? - ANSWER YES
Risks associated with sleep apnea - ANSWER * drowsiness * sleepiness * lack of recognition
of s/sx
Medications use to treat respiratory issues/conditions - ANSWER 1) Antihistamines -- can
cause drowsiness
How many hours of taking antihistamines can a driver safely drive? - ANSWER no less than 12
hrs; ok to certify if > 12 hrs
Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) - ANSWER May be related to:
1) Neuro Dx
2) Depression
3) ETOH/drug use
4) Rx/OTC meds
DO NOT CERTIFY for any of the following issues: - ANSWER 1) hypoxemia @ rest
2) untreated symptomatic OSA
3) Narcolepsy
4) Primary (Idiopathic) Alveolar Hypervent Syndrome
5) Idiopathic CNS Hypersomnolence
Sleep study recommended for any drivers with @ least 2 of 3 demographic/measurements: -
ANSWER 1) Neck size > 17 for men and > 16 women
2) BMI > 35 kg
3) HTN- new, uncontrolled, and/or requires 2 + Rx to control
