A patient is in full cardiopulmonary arrest and after several attempts, the patient is orally
intubated with a size 7 mm ID endotracheal tube. The nurse is unable to establish IV
access and the ECG monitor shows sinus bradycardia. What is the most appropriate
route to administer atropine to this patient?
A. Aerosolized via small volume nebulizer
B. Injected via intraosseous route
C. Instill into endotracheal tube
D. Instill into nasogastric tube - CORRECT ANSWER-C
The results of a patient's spirometry are recorded as follows:
Predicted Observed
FVC (L) 3.5 2.1
FEV1 (L) 2.7 2.6
FRC (L) 2.5 1.7
TLC (L) 5.6 4.2
These results are indicative of
A. normal lung function.
B. sarcoidosis.
C. acute bronchitis.
D. cystic fibrosis. - CORRECT ANSWER-B
The respiratory therapist is in charge of transporting a patient with multiple trauma to a
regional trauma center in a fixed-wing aircraft. Which of the following should the
therapist be most concerned about during transport?
A. Tissue oxygenation
B. Pneumothorax
C. Pulmonary embolus
D. Humidification of the inspired gas - CORRECT ANSWER-A
Transcutaneous monitoring of PO2 values will correlate well with arterial blood gas PO2
values in which of the following situations?
1. Hypotension
2. Hypothermia
3. Pneumonia
A. 1 only
B. 3 only
,C. 1 and 2 only
D. 2 and 3 only - CORRECT ANSWER-B
Which of the following is an indication for high frequency jet ventilation?
A. Bronchopleural fistula
B. Wilson Mikity syndrome
C. Necrotizing lesion of right lung
D. Centrilobular emphysema - CORRECT ANSWER-A
A 43-year-old female patient undergoes a total abdominal hysterectomy. The patient
arrives in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit obtunded with minimal response to painful
stimulus. What treatment should the respiratory therapist recommend for this patient?
A. Initiate assisted ventilation
B. Insert oropharyngeal airway
C. Obtain positron emission tomography
D. Initiate noninvasive capnography - CORRECT ANSWER-B
A 44-week gestational age infant is delivered via C-section and is gasping, grunting,
and has tachycardia and tachypnea. At one minute his Apgar score is 4 and at 5
minutes the score is 5. The infant is most likely suffering from
A. transient tachypnea of the newborn.
B. meconium aspiration.
C. bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
D. apnea of prematurity. - CORRECT ANSWER-B
What is the normal VD/VT ratio for a patient breathing room air?
A. 5 - 15%
B. 20 - 40%
C. 45 - 55%
D. 65 - 75% - CORRECT ANSWER-B
A heat moisture exchanger is indicated for humidification in which of the following
situations?
A. Mechanical ventilation in a long-term care facility.
B. Transport to a tertiary care center.
C. Patient with tenacious secretions.
D. Delivery of aerosolized bronchodilators. - CORRECT ANSWER-B
All of the following could cause a patient's right-hemidiaphragm to be elevated,
EXCEPT
,A. right lower lobe atelectasis.
B. right side hyperlucency, absent vascular markings.
C. hepatomegaly.
D. right lower lobe consolidation with air bronchograms. - CORRECT ANSWER-B
A 64-year-old, 70 kg (154 lb) man with severe COPD receives independent (differential)
lung ventilation following thoracotomy and right lower lobectomy. Which of the following
setting combinations would be most appropriate for this patient?
A. Right lung 50 mL; left lung 450 mL
B. Right lung 150 mL; left lung 350 mL
C. Right lung 250 mL; left lung 250 mL
D. Right lung 350 mL; left lung 150 mL - CORRECT ANSWER-B
After a patient undergoes a thoracentesis, the respiratory therapist notes that the
obtained pleural fluid is clear with a slight straw color. This fluid is most likely the result
of
A. empyema.
B. congestive heart failure.
C. lung carcinoma.
D. hemothorax. - CORRECT ANSWER-B
Which of the following would be most important to evaluate for a patient who is entering
a smoking cessation program?
A. Height
B. Smoking history
C. Weight
D. Diet - CORRECT ANSWER-B
The respiratory therapist calibrates a spirometer and checks the volume with a 3.0 liter
super syringe. The volumes recorded are: 2.85 L, 2.8 L, and 2.8 L. Based upon the
information obtained which of the following is a correct statement?
A. Another syringe needs to be used
B. Spirometer is accurate
C. The plunger was advanced too slowly
D. Spirometer may have a leak - CORRECT ANSWER-D
A patient in the intensive care unit has the following hemodynamic measurements:
CVP (mm Hg) 5
PAP (mm Hg) 29/8
PCWP (mm Hg) 8
, BP (mm Hg) 130/70
Cardiac output (L/min) 5.1
Cardiac index (L/min/m2) 2.7
What is the pulse pressure?
A. 15 mm Hg
B. 21 mm Hg
C. 60 mm Hg
D. 90 mm Hg - CORRECT ANSWER-C
A 2-year-old child with croup has been intubated for 4 days with a 4 mm ID uncuffed
endotracheal tube. Heated aerosol at an FIO2 of 0.30 has been delivered to the patient.
The physician asks the respiratory therapist to evaluate the patient for possible
extubation. Which of the following would most likely indicate that the patient is ready for
extubation?
A. The patient is making normal quiet ventilatory efforts.
B. A negative sputum culture and sensitivity has been reported.
C. The patient's ABG are within normal range.
D. Breath sounds are heard around the tube on auscultation. - CORRECT ANSWER-D
A patient is seen in the Emergency Department for complaints of nausea and vomiting.
A nasogastric tube has been inserted and the patient is started on lasix. Which of the
following should the respiratory therapist monitor?
A. Cardiac enzymes
B. Serum electrolytes
C. Arterial blood gases
D. Cell hydration level - CORRECT ANSWER-B
While instructing a patient prior to a vital capacity maneuver, the respiratory therapist
should direct the patient to
A. exhale to residual volume and inhale to inspiratory capacity.
B. inhale to total lung capacity then exhale to residual volume.
C. exhale normally then inhale to total lung capacity.
D. inhale normally then exhale to functional residual capacity. - CORRECT ANSWER-B
A patient involved in an automobile accident is brought to the ED with tachypnea,
tracheal deviation to the right, splinting, asymmetrical chest movement, and decreased
breath sounds on the left side. The respiratory therapist should initially
A. insert a chest tube.
B. administer 100% oxygen via mask.
C. perform endotracheal intubation.
D. initiate non-invasive positive pressure ventilation. - CORRECT ANSWER-B