PRACTICE RT QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
oropharyngeal airway - ANSWER-A post-op patient in the post anesthesia care unit has
been extubated. The patient remains unconscious and still requires occasional oral
suctioning. Which of the following would be the most appropriate device for this patient?
decrease the oxygen flow to the bag - ANSWER-The respiratory therapist provides
manual ventilation with a self-inflating resuscitation bag with the flowmeter set to flush
during a resuscitation in the ICU. The therapist notices that the patient valve is stuck in
the open position. The therapist's initial response should be to
100% oxygen is delivered directly from a 50 psi gas source - ANSWER-All of the
following are considered limitations of a pneumatically powered resuscitation device
EXCEPT
initiate chest compressions - ANSWER-A responsive infant presents to the emergency
department with a severe airway obstruction. After the respiratory therapist delivers
back blows and chest thrust, the infant becomes unresponsive. After placing the infant
on a firm surface, the therapist should
hyperventilate the patient for 30 seconds - ANSWER-A 22 year-old female admitted tot
he ED with a narcotic overdose has been intubated for airway protection. Intravenous
access is not currently available. The physician has administered naloxone (Narcan) via
the endotracheal tube. Following administration of the drug, the respiratory therapist
should
insertion of a CASS tube - ANSWER-The respiratory therapist is asked to evaluate an
adult patient who is orally intubated and receiving mechanical ventilation. The physician
is concerned that the patient is at risk for developing VAP because of the level of
sedation the patient requires. The respiratory therapist should recommend
slightly deflate the cuff and recheck pressure - ANSWER-A patient arrives in the ICU
following a tracheotomy procedure. The respiratory therapist measures the pressure in
the tracheostomy tube cuff and notes that the pressure is 36 cm H2O. The respiratory
therapist should
endobronchial tube - ANSWER-A patient has been diagnosed with a large left upper
lobe lung abscess. The patient cannot be scheduled for a lung resection for another 48
hours. Which of the following should the respiratory therapist recommend to prevent the
abscess from spreading to the unaffected side?
extended - ANSWER-A 67 year-old male patient who weighs 320 lbs (145 kg) is
scheduled for a tracheostomy procedure. The operating room nurse calls the respiratory
, therapy department and states that the physician is having trouble finding an
appropriate tracheostomy tube for this patient. Which of the following tracheostomy tube
should the therapist suggest?
14 Fr - ANSWER-A patient being mechanically ventilated in the ICU requires frequent
suctioning. Which of the following would be the most appropriate suction catheter size if
the patient had a size 9.5 mm ID endotracheal tube?
3 and 4 only - ANSWER-A 32 week gestation age infant has just been delivered. The
infant's Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes are 2 and 3 respectively. The physician has
determined that the infant requires intubation and mechanical ventilation. Which of the
following equipment items would be necessary for this procedure?
1. Esophageal tracheal Combitube
2. Airway exchange catheter
3. Miller laryngoscope blade size 0
4. Endotracheal tube sizes 2.5 and 3.0 mm
1 and 2 only - ANSWER-A 26 year-old female patient was involved in a motor vehicle
accident six weeks ago and required mechanical ventilation for a period of 4 weeks. The
patient currently has a fenestrated tracheostomy tube connected to a tracheal speaking
device. The occupational therapist determines that the patient is ready for oral liquid
feeding. Prior o the patient's first feeding, the respiratory therapist should
1. remove the speaking device
2. inflate the cuff
3. clamp the piolet tube
4. insert the obturator
21-25 cm - ANSWER-A nurse has just finished bathing an adult patient receiving
mechanical ventilation. The nurse reports tot he respiratory therapist that the patient's
endotracheal tube moved while she was turning the patient. While replacing the tape on
the oral endotracheal tube, the therapist note that the tube is taped at the 18 cm mark at
the patient's lips. Tube placement for this patient should be between
2, 3, and 4 - ANSWER-The respiratory therapist performs endotracheal suction on a
patient who has a standard tracheostomy tube in place attached to a trach collar. During
the procedure, the therapist notices that the vacuum pressure has stopped. The
therapist should check the
1. cuff inflation on the tracheostomy tube
2. patency of the suction catheter
3. connecting tubing to the canister
4. lid to the suction canister
ANSWERS
oropharyngeal airway - ANSWER-A post-op patient in the post anesthesia care unit has
been extubated. The patient remains unconscious and still requires occasional oral
suctioning. Which of the following would be the most appropriate device for this patient?
decrease the oxygen flow to the bag - ANSWER-The respiratory therapist provides
manual ventilation with a self-inflating resuscitation bag with the flowmeter set to flush
during a resuscitation in the ICU. The therapist notices that the patient valve is stuck in
the open position. The therapist's initial response should be to
100% oxygen is delivered directly from a 50 psi gas source - ANSWER-All of the
following are considered limitations of a pneumatically powered resuscitation device
EXCEPT
initiate chest compressions - ANSWER-A responsive infant presents to the emergency
department with a severe airway obstruction. After the respiratory therapist delivers
back blows and chest thrust, the infant becomes unresponsive. After placing the infant
on a firm surface, the therapist should
hyperventilate the patient for 30 seconds - ANSWER-A 22 year-old female admitted tot
he ED with a narcotic overdose has been intubated for airway protection. Intravenous
access is not currently available. The physician has administered naloxone (Narcan) via
the endotracheal tube. Following administration of the drug, the respiratory therapist
should
insertion of a CASS tube - ANSWER-The respiratory therapist is asked to evaluate an
adult patient who is orally intubated and receiving mechanical ventilation. The physician
is concerned that the patient is at risk for developing VAP because of the level of
sedation the patient requires. The respiratory therapist should recommend
slightly deflate the cuff and recheck pressure - ANSWER-A patient arrives in the ICU
following a tracheotomy procedure. The respiratory therapist measures the pressure in
the tracheostomy tube cuff and notes that the pressure is 36 cm H2O. The respiratory
therapist should
endobronchial tube - ANSWER-A patient has been diagnosed with a large left upper
lobe lung abscess. The patient cannot be scheduled for a lung resection for another 48
hours. Which of the following should the respiratory therapist recommend to prevent the
abscess from spreading to the unaffected side?
extended - ANSWER-A 67 year-old male patient who weighs 320 lbs (145 kg) is
scheduled for a tracheostomy procedure. The operating room nurse calls the respiratory
, therapy department and states that the physician is having trouble finding an
appropriate tracheostomy tube for this patient. Which of the following tracheostomy tube
should the therapist suggest?
14 Fr - ANSWER-A patient being mechanically ventilated in the ICU requires frequent
suctioning. Which of the following would be the most appropriate suction catheter size if
the patient had a size 9.5 mm ID endotracheal tube?
3 and 4 only - ANSWER-A 32 week gestation age infant has just been delivered. The
infant's Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes are 2 and 3 respectively. The physician has
determined that the infant requires intubation and mechanical ventilation. Which of the
following equipment items would be necessary for this procedure?
1. Esophageal tracheal Combitube
2. Airway exchange catheter
3. Miller laryngoscope blade size 0
4. Endotracheal tube sizes 2.5 and 3.0 mm
1 and 2 only - ANSWER-A 26 year-old female patient was involved in a motor vehicle
accident six weeks ago and required mechanical ventilation for a period of 4 weeks. The
patient currently has a fenestrated tracheostomy tube connected to a tracheal speaking
device. The occupational therapist determines that the patient is ready for oral liquid
feeding. Prior o the patient's first feeding, the respiratory therapist should
1. remove the speaking device
2. inflate the cuff
3. clamp the piolet tube
4. insert the obturator
21-25 cm - ANSWER-A nurse has just finished bathing an adult patient receiving
mechanical ventilation. The nurse reports tot he respiratory therapist that the patient's
endotracheal tube moved while she was turning the patient. While replacing the tape on
the oral endotracheal tube, the therapist note that the tube is taped at the 18 cm mark at
the patient's lips. Tube placement for this patient should be between
2, 3, and 4 - ANSWER-The respiratory therapist performs endotracheal suction on a
patient who has a standard tracheostomy tube in place attached to a trach collar. During
the procedure, the therapist notices that the vacuum pressure has stopped. The
therapist should check the
1. cuff inflation on the tracheostomy tube
2. patency of the suction catheter
3. connecting tubing to the canister
4. lid to the suction canister
