recently Tested Questions and Correct Answers/ Respiratory
Therapist Certification Exam Test Bank Latest 2025-2026
A patient who suffered trauma in an ATV accident is being monitored in the ICU.
A pulmonary artery catheter has been placed and the following data is available:
PvO2 46 torr
PCWP 19 mm Hg
PAP (mean) 10 mm Hg
CVP 12 cm H2O
Cardiac Output 3L/min
The respiratory therapist should recommend
1. IV fluid challenge
2. positive inotropic agent
3. inhaled nitric oxide
4. diuretic therapy - ANSWER-2 and 4
A patient's breathing pattern irregularly increases and decreases and is interspersed
with periods of apnea up to 1 minute. Which of the following conditions is the
most likely cause of this problem?
A. Diabetes insipidus
B. Renal failure
C. Metabolic acidosis
D. Elevated intracranial pressure - ANSWER-Elevated intracranial pressure
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,What value for the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) is consistent with mild obstructive
sleep apnea?
A. Less than 5
B. 5 to 15
C. 16 to 30
D. Greater than 30 - ANSWER-5 to 15
While monitoring a newborn utilizing a transcutaneous monitor, you notice a
change in PtcO2 from 60 to 142 torr and simultaneously the (PtcCO2) changes
from 37 to 2 torr. What is the most likely explanation for these changes?
A. Upper airway obstruction
B. Poor peripheral perfusion
C. Air leak around the sensor
D. Device is out of range - ANSWER-Air leak around the sensor
A patient on the general medical ward is on a 28% air entrainment mask with the
flowmeter set at 5 L/min. What is the total flow delivered to the patient?
A. 5 L/min
B. 55 L/min
C. 88 L/min
D. 140 L/min - ANSWER-55/Lmin
Which of the following measurements is most indicative of pulmonary edema?
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,A. Heart rate of 120/min
B. Blood pressure of 92/72 mm Hg
C. Pulmonary artery pressure of 25/10 mm Hg
D. Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure of 30 mm Hg - ANSWER-Pulmonary
capillary wedge pressure of 30 mm Hg
Sleep apnea can be defined as repeated episodes of complete cessation of airflow
for
A. 5 seconds or longer.
B. 10 seconds or longer.
C. 15 seconds or longer.
D. 20 seconds or longer. - ANSWER-10 seconds or longer
A patient in the ICU receiving mechanical ventilation has just undergone a
fiberoptic bronchoscopy procedure in which a tissue biopsy was collected.
Immediately following the procedure, the respiratory therapist notes that the peak
inspiratory pressure on the ventilator has increased. Potential causes for this
include all of the following EXCEPT
A. hypoxemia.
B. pneumothorax.
C. pulmonary hemorrhage.
D. bronchospasm/laryngospasm. - ANSWER-hypoxemia
What size endotracheal tube would be appropriate for an adult female patient?
A. 6.0 to 6.5 mm
B. 6.5 to 7.0 mm
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, C. 7.0 to 7.5 mm
D. 7.5 to 8.0 mm - ANSWER-7.0 to 7.5 mm
The respiratory therapist has been asked to measure Auto-PEEP on a patient
receiving mechanical ventilation. In order to do this, the therapist should
A. initiate an inspiratory hold just after the next ventilator-delivered breath.
B. initiate an expiratory hold just prior to the next ventilator-delivered breath.
C. subtract Pplat from Pdyn.
D. subtract set PEEP from the measured Pplat. - ANSWER-initiate an expiratory
hold just prior to the next ventilator-delivered breath.
A 48 year-old female is admitted to the ED with diaphoresis, jugular venous
distension, and 3+ pitting edema in the ankles. These findings are consistent with
A. liver failure.
B. pulmonary embolism.
C. heart failure.
D. electrolyte imbalances - ANSWER-Heart failure
A patient is admitted to the ED following a motor vehicle accident. On physical
exam, the respiratory therapist discovers that breath sounds are absent in the left
chest with a hyperresonant percussion note. The trachea is shifted to the right. The
patient's heart rate is 45/min, respiratory rate is 30/min, and blood pressure is 60/40
mm Hg. What action should the therapist recommend first?
A. Call for a STAT chest x-ray.
B. Insert a chest tube into the left chest.
C. Needle aspirate the 2nd left intercostal space.
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