RRT STUDY GUIDE (NBRC) EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
IBW calculation - ANSWER-Normal VT: 6-10 ml/kg
Height: 5' 11"
50+(11x2)= 50+22= 72
72x6= 432
72x10= 720
VT range = 432-700
Vent: Rate - ANSWER-12-18 bpm
Vent: Trigger sensitivity - ANSWER-1-2 L/min
Vent: Inspiratory time - ANSWER-0.8
Vent: I:E ratio - ANSWER-1:2
Compliance - ANSWER-Reciprocal of elastance
∆volume/∆pressure
Elacticity - ANSWER-Distensibility of the lungs and thorax
∆pressure/∆volume
Resistance - ANSWER-Airflow and tissue resistance
∆pressure/∆flow
WOB - ANSWER-Respiratory muscles work for normal passive breathing
Pulse oximetry - ANSWER-Measures arterial blood oxyhemoglobin saturation levels
VD/VT - ANSWER-Provides an index of wasted ventilation
Capnography normals - ANSWER-Used during general anesthesia and mechanical
ventilation
,PaCO2 = 40 torr
PetCO2 = 30 torr
EtCO2 = 3-5%
Increase in PeCO2 or PetCO2% would indicate what? - ANSWER-Decrease in
ventilation (ventilatory failure)
Decrease in PeCO2 or PetCO2% would indicate what? - ANSWER-Increase in
ventilation
Decreased perfusion (pulmonary embolism, hypovelemia)
True or False: During CPR the PetCO2% should decrease - ANSWER-F
Co-oximeter/hemoximeter - ANSWER-Normal COHb: 0-1%
COHb for smokers: 2-12%
CO poisoning: >20%
More accurately measures COHb and O2Hb
Trancutaneous PO2 and PCO2 measurement - ANSWER-Temp of 32-43 C improves
capillary blood flow (perfusion)
Electrode site should be changed every 4 hrs.
If erythema occurs electrode should be moved
Calibration is done on room air (PaO2 = 150 torr, PaCO2 = 0 torr) and with a zeroing
solution
Air leaks will increase the TcPO2 to read higher than the PaO2
There are 3 factors that control blood pressure - ANSWER-Heart, blood, Vessels
Heart: BP - ANSWER-Pump that creates the BP, changes in the PR and contractility will
affect the BP
Decrease in contractility will decrease BP
Heart: BP drugs - ANSWER-Chronotropic drugs (Atropine) increase HR
B-blockers or B-antagonsits (atenolol, propranolol, Labetalol)
,Blood: Bp drugs - ANSWER-Excessive fluid (increase pressure): treat with diuretics
(lasix)
Decreased fluid (decrease pressure): treat with fluids or blood products
Vessel: BP Drugs - ANSWER-Vasodialators (nitroprusside, hydralazine, milrinone)
ACR inhibitors (Lisinopril, Perindopril, Captopril, Enalapril, Ramipril)
Erythema - ANSWER-Redness or blistering of the skin
ECG - ANSWER-When electrical impulse moves toward the positive electrode an
upward deflection is made on the paper
Movement away from the positive electrode produces a downward deflection
12 leads used: 6 limb leads, 6 chest leads (10 electrodes)
V1, V2 - ANSWER-4th intercostal
Right atrium
V3 - ANSWER-Between V2 and V4
Ventricular septum
V4 - ANSWER-5th intercostal space
Ventricular septum
V5 - ANSWER-Between V4 and V6
Left ventricle
V6 - ANSWER-5th intercostal space, left mid-axillary line
Normal HR - ANSWER-60-100
If the R-waves are between 3 and 5 boxes, then the rate is normal
CVP-right atrial pressure - ANSWER-Swan ganz catheter
Normal 2-6 mmHg
QRS complex - ANSWER-
, ECG: Tachycardia - ANSWER-Oxygen
ECG: 1st degree heart block - ANSWER-Long PQ interval
ECG: Bradycardia - ANSWER-Oxygen, Atropine
ECG: 2nd degree heart block (Mobitz type 1) - ANSWER-PQ gets longer and longer
until QRS is dropped
ECG: 2nd degree heart block (Mobitz type 2) - ANSWER-Random P waves
ECG: 3rd degree heart block - ANSWER-P and QRS waves are completely disjointed
and random
ECG: Atrial flutter - ANSWER-Sawtooth
ECG: Atrial fibrillation - ANSWER-P wave quivers randomly
ECG: Premature ventricular contractions - ANSWER-Oxygen, Lidocaine, Amiodarone
ECG: Ventricular tacycardia - ANSWER-Pulse present: Cardiovert
Pulse absent: Defibrilate, CPR
Epinephrine, Amiodarone
Pulmonary artery pressure - ANSWER-25/8 mmhg at rest, 14 mean
30 mmhg during exercise is a sign of HTN
ECG: Ventricualr fibrillation - ANSWER-Completely irregular
Defibrillate, CPR
Epinephrine, Amiodarone
Asystole - ANSWER-Confirm in 2 leads first
CPR, Epinephrine
Multifocal PVC - ANSWER-Oxygen, Lidocaine, Amiodarone
APGAR - ANSWER-Airway, pulse, grimace, appearance and response
>7 normal
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
IBW calculation - ANSWER-Normal VT: 6-10 ml/kg
Height: 5' 11"
50+(11x2)= 50+22= 72
72x6= 432
72x10= 720
VT range = 432-700
Vent: Rate - ANSWER-12-18 bpm
Vent: Trigger sensitivity - ANSWER-1-2 L/min
Vent: Inspiratory time - ANSWER-0.8
Vent: I:E ratio - ANSWER-1:2
Compliance - ANSWER-Reciprocal of elastance
∆volume/∆pressure
Elacticity - ANSWER-Distensibility of the lungs and thorax
∆pressure/∆volume
Resistance - ANSWER-Airflow and tissue resistance
∆pressure/∆flow
WOB - ANSWER-Respiratory muscles work for normal passive breathing
Pulse oximetry - ANSWER-Measures arterial blood oxyhemoglobin saturation levels
VD/VT - ANSWER-Provides an index of wasted ventilation
Capnography normals - ANSWER-Used during general anesthesia and mechanical
ventilation
,PaCO2 = 40 torr
PetCO2 = 30 torr
EtCO2 = 3-5%
Increase in PeCO2 or PetCO2% would indicate what? - ANSWER-Decrease in
ventilation (ventilatory failure)
Decrease in PeCO2 or PetCO2% would indicate what? - ANSWER-Increase in
ventilation
Decreased perfusion (pulmonary embolism, hypovelemia)
True or False: During CPR the PetCO2% should decrease - ANSWER-F
Co-oximeter/hemoximeter - ANSWER-Normal COHb: 0-1%
COHb for smokers: 2-12%
CO poisoning: >20%
More accurately measures COHb and O2Hb
Trancutaneous PO2 and PCO2 measurement - ANSWER-Temp of 32-43 C improves
capillary blood flow (perfusion)
Electrode site should be changed every 4 hrs.
If erythema occurs electrode should be moved
Calibration is done on room air (PaO2 = 150 torr, PaCO2 = 0 torr) and with a zeroing
solution
Air leaks will increase the TcPO2 to read higher than the PaO2
There are 3 factors that control blood pressure - ANSWER-Heart, blood, Vessels
Heart: BP - ANSWER-Pump that creates the BP, changes in the PR and contractility will
affect the BP
Decrease in contractility will decrease BP
Heart: BP drugs - ANSWER-Chronotropic drugs (Atropine) increase HR
B-blockers or B-antagonsits (atenolol, propranolol, Labetalol)
,Blood: Bp drugs - ANSWER-Excessive fluid (increase pressure): treat with diuretics
(lasix)
Decreased fluid (decrease pressure): treat with fluids or blood products
Vessel: BP Drugs - ANSWER-Vasodialators (nitroprusside, hydralazine, milrinone)
ACR inhibitors (Lisinopril, Perindopril, Captopril, Enalapril, Ramipril)
Erythema - ANSWER-Redness or blistering of the skin
ECG - ANSWER-When electrical impulse moves toward the positive electrode an
upward deflection is made on the paper
Movement away from the positive electrode produces a downward deflection
12 leads used: 6 limb leads, 6 chest leads (10 electrodes)
V1, V2 - ANSWER-4th intercostal
Right atrium
V3 - ANSWER-Between V2 and V4
Ventricular septum
V4 - ANSWER-5th intercostal space
Ventricular septum
V5 - ANSWER-Between V4 and V6
Left ventricle
V6 - ANSWER-5th intercostal space, left mid-axillary line
Normal HR - ANSWER-60-100
If the R-waves are between 3 and 5 boxes, then the rate is normal
CVP-right atrial pressure - ANSWER-Swan ganz catheter
Normal 2-6 mmHg
QRS complex - ANSWER-
, ECG: Tachycardia - ANSWER-Oxygen
ECG: 1st degree heart block - ANSWER-Long PQ interval
ECG: Bradycardia - ANSWER-Oxygen, Atropine
ECG: 2nd degree heart block (Mobitz type 1) - ANSWER-PQ gets longer and longer
until QRS is dropped
ECG: 2nd degree heart block (Mobitz type 2) - ANSWER-Random P waves
ECG: 3rd degree heart block - ANSWER-P and QRS waves are completely disjointed
and random
ECG: Atrial flutter - ANSWER-Sawtooth
ECG: Atrial fibrillation - ANSWER-P wave quivers randomly
ECG: Premature ventricular contractions - ANSWER-Oxygen, Lidocaine, Amiodarone
ECG: Ventricular tacycardia - ANSWER-Pulse present: Cardiovert
Pulse absent: Defibrilate, CPR
Epinephrine, Amiodarone
Pulmonary artery pressure - ANSWER-25/8 mmhg at rest, 14 mean
30 mmhg during exercise is a sign of HTN
ECG: Ventricualr fibrillation - ANSWER-Completely irregular
Defibrillate, CPR
Epinephrine, Amiodarone
Asystole - ANSWER-Confirm in 2 leads first
CPR, Epinephrine
Multifocal PVC - ANSWER-Oxygen, Lidocaine, Amiodarone
APGAR - ANSWER-Airway, pulse, grimace, appearance and response
>7 normal
