NBRC CRT Self-Assessment Examination (Form E)
1. Which of the following positions is most appropriate for a patient being treated for extremely low
blood pressure?
A. Trendelenburg
B. reverse Trendelenburg
C. Sims'
D. Fowler's
2. A respiratory therapist is assisting with a bronchoscopy for a patient with a right middle lobe
consolidation. Which of the following should be routinely monitored during the procedure?
1. hemoximetry
2. ECG pattern
3. pulse oximetry
4. capnography
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 4 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 3 and 4 only
3. Immediately after initiating volume-controlled ventilation, an inverse I:E ratio is noted. Which of the
following does this indicate?
A. Inspiratory flow is low.
B. Pressure limit is high.
C. Tidal volume is low.
D. Mandatory rate is low.
4. A 24-year-old female presents with seasonal nasal stuffiness and episodes of daytime dyspnea and
cough. Which of the following drug classifications should the respiratory therapist recommend to control
the patient's symptoms?
,A. leukotriene inhibitor
B. IgE immunoglobulin antagonist
C. beta-adrenergic agonist
D. short-acting antihistamine
5. Following endotracheal intubation, which of the following should a respiratory therapist use to
confirm proper tube placement?
A. galvanic analyzer
B. mass spectrometer
C. colorimetric capnometer
D. Severinghaus electrode
6. Following insertion of a central venous pressure (CVP) catheter, a chest radiograph is taken to evaluate
the position of the catheter. While viewing the radiograph, a respiratory therapist notes the tip of the
catheter is in the lower portion of the superior vena cava. The therapist should conclude the catheter
A. has been advanced too far.
B. is in the proper position.
C. has perforated a vessel.
D. is not advanced far enough.
7. Which of the following findings indicate a patient who is weaning from mechanical ventilation has
decreased muscle strength?
1. reduced maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP)
2. decreased tidal volume
3. decreased vital capacity
4. decreased PaCO2
A. 1, 2, and 3 only
B. 1, 2, and 4 only
C. 1, 3, and 4 only
D. 2, 3, and 4 only
,8. A patient is receiving 80%/20% heliox using a standard oxygen flowmeter. Which of the following is
the correction factor to determine the accurate flow?
A. 1.4
B. 1.6
C. 1.8
D. 2.4
9. Which of the following is the best device to administer a controlled oxygen concentration for a patient
with a variable respiratory pattern?
A. face tent
B. nasal cannula
C. partial rebreathing mask
D. air-entrainment mask
10. The following arterial blood gas results are available for a patient 15 minutes after the initiation of
oxygen therapy:
Which of the following is the most likely cause of these results?
A. renal tubular acidosis
B. hyperchloremic acidosis
C. lactic acidosis
D. multiple myeloma acidosis
11. A respiratory therapist is instructing an outpatient in the care of respiratory equipment. Which of the
following steps should be included in the cleaning procedure?
1. Wash thoroughly with 50% bleach.
2. Remove soap by rinsing with water.
3. Soak in a vinegar solution for 20 minutes.
4. Drain dry without wiping.
A. 1, 2, and 3 only
, B. 1, 2, and 4 only
C. 1, 3, and 4 only
D. 2, 3, and 4 only
12. A patient with a tracheostomy is receiving heated aerosol therapy. A respiratory therapist finds the
FIO2 is 0.60 by oxygen analyzer when the air-entrainment setting is 0.40. Which of the following could
cause these findings?
1. The analyzer could be improperly calibrated.
2. The tracheostomy tube could be partially occluded with secretions.
3. The water level in the nebulizer could be too low.
4. Water in the tubing could be reducing the gas flow. A.
A.1 and 2 only
B.1 and 4 only
C.2 and 3 only
D.3 and 4 only
13. A patient who is afebrile is receiving volume-controlled ventilation with a heat moisture exchanger
for the past 24 hours. There is a progressive increase in peak inspiratory pressure. Auscultation reveals
scattered coarse crackles, and thick secretions are obtained during suctioning. Which of the following
should a respiratory therapist do?
A. Instill 5 mL of saline.
B. Administer 3 mL of 10% acetylcysteine (Mucomyst) by aerosol.
C. Change to a heated humidifier.
D. Replace the heat moisture exchanger.
14.The best way to check the accuracy of a water-seal spirometer is to use a
A. 3 L syringe
B. pneumotachometer.
C. vortex sensor
D.Wright respirometer.
1. Which of the following positions is most appropriate for a patient being treated for extremely low
blood pressure?
A. Trendelenburg
B. reverse Trendelenburg
C. Sims'
D. Fowler's
2. A respiratory therapist is assisting with a bronchoscopy for a patient with a right middle lobe
consolidation. Which of the following should be routinely monitored during the procedure?
1. hemoximetry
2. ECG pattern
3. pulse oximetry
4. capnography
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 4 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 3 and 4 only
3. Immediately after initiating volume-controlled ventilation, an inverse I:E ratio is noted. Which of the
following does this indicate?
A. Inspiratory flow is low.
B. Pressure limit is high.
C. Tidal volume is low.
D. Mandatory rate is low.
4. A 24-year-old female presents with seasonal nasal stuffiness and episodes of daytime dyspnea and
cough. Which of the following drug classifications should the respiratory therapist recommend to control
the patient's symptoms?
,A. leukotriene inhibitor
B. IgE immunoglobulin antagonist
C. beta-adrenergic agonist
D. short-acting antihistamine
5. Following endotracheal intubation, which of the following should a respiratory therapist use to
confirm proper tube placement?
A. galvanic analyzer
B. mass spectrometer
C. colorimetric capnometer
D. Severinghaus electrode
6. Following insertion of a central venous pressure (CVP) catheter, a chest radiograph is taken to evaluate
the position of the catheter. While viewing the radiograph, a respiratory therapist notes the tip of the
catheter is in the lower portion of the superior vena cava. The therapist should conclude the catheter
A. has been advanced too far.
B. is in the proper position.
C. has perforated a vessel.
D. is not advanced far enough.
7. Which of the following findings indicate a patient who is weaning from mechanical ventilation has
decreased muscle strength?
1. reduced maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP)
2. decreased tidal volume
3. decreased vital capacity
4. decreased PaCO2
A. 1, 2, and 3 only
B. 1, 2, and 4 only
C. 1, 3, and 4 only
D. 2, 3, and 4 only
,8. A patient is receiving 80%/20% heliox using a standard oxygen flowmeter. Which of the following is
the correction factor to determine the accurate flow?
A. 1.4
B. 1.6
C. 1.8
D. 2.4
9. Which of the following is the best device to administer a controlled oxygen concentration for a patient
with a variable respiratory pattern?
A. face tent
B. nasal cannula
C. partial rebreathing mask
D. air-entrainment mask
10. The following arterial blood gas results are available for a patient 15 minutes after the initiation of
oxygen therapy:
Which of the following is the most likely cause of these results?
A. renal tubular acidosis
B. hyperchloremic acidosis
C. lactic acidosis
D. multiple myeloma acidosis
11. A respiratory therapist is instructing an outpatient in the care of respiratory equipment. Which of the
following steps should be included in the cleaning procedure?
1. Wash thoroughly with 50% bleach.
2. Remove soap by rinsing with water.
3. Soak in a vinegar solution for 20 minutes.
4. Drain dry without wiping.
A. 1, 2, and 3 only
, B. 1, 2, and 4 only
C. 1, 3, and 4 only
D. 2, 3, and 4 only
12. A patient with a tracheostomy is receiving heated aerosol therapy. A respiratory therapist finds the
FIO2 is 0.60 by oxygen analyzer when the air-entrainment setting is 0.40. Which of the following could
cause these findings?
1. The analyzer could be improperly calibrated.
2. The tracheostomy tube could be partially occluded with secretions.
3. The water level in the nebulizer could be too low.
4. Water in the tubing could be reducing the gas flow. A.
A.1 and 2 only
B.1 and 4 only
C.2 and 3 only
D.3 and 4 only
13. A patient who is afebrile is receiving volume-controlled ventilation with a heat moisture exchanger
for the past 24 hours. There is a progressive increase in peak inspiratory pressure. Auscultation reveals
scattered coarse crackles, and thick secretions are obtained during suctioning. Which of the following
should a respiratory therapist do?
A. Instill 5 mL of saline.
B. Administer 3 mL of 10% acetylcysteine (Mucomyst) by aerosol.
C. Change to a heated humidifier.
D. Replace the heat moisture exchanger.
14.The best way to check the accuracy of a water-seal spirometer is to use a
A. 3 L syringe
B. pneumotachometer.
C. vortex sensor
D.Wright respirometer.
