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NBRC TMC Practice Exam Questions and
Correct Answers
1. A patient's sputum is purulent, green in appearance, has
separated into layers, and has a foul odor. What is the most likely
cause?
A. Aspiration
B. Tuberculosis
C. Emphysema
D. Bronchiectasis— Ans: — D. Bronchiectasis
2. A patient in the ICU complains of light headedness, nausea, and
chest pains. The patient is diaphoretic and has a blood pressure of
90/60mmHg. What should the RT recommend?
A. Lidocaine HCl
B. Cardioversion
C. Defibrillation
D. Epinephrine— Ans: — B. Cardioversion
3. A patient with Guillain-Barre syndrome has a vital capacity of
625mL. An RT should recommend which of the following be
performed FIRST?
A. MIP evaluation
B. Edrophonium Chloride (Tensilon) test
C. MVV test
D. EMG and nerve conduction study— Ans: — A. MIP
4. Which of the following beside pulmonary function testing
results for a patient with multiple sclerosis most strongly
indicates the need for ventilatory assistance?
A. 5% decrease in peak expiratory flow
© 2025 All rights reserved
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B. FEV1/FVC 85%
C. MIP of -23cmH2O
D. Vital Capacity of 5 mL/kg— Ans: — D. Vital capacity of 5mL/kg
5. A 23-year-old patient is in moderate respiratory distress while
receiving oxygen.
ABG=7.42/ 31/ 38/ 20/ -3/ 71%
How should these results be interpreted?— Ans: — Chronic
Respiratory Alkalosis with severe hypoxemia
6. What is the patient's TLC?
Vital Capacity= 3.6L
FRC= 6.0 L
ERV = 1.0— Ans: — 8.6
7. A COPD patient becomes hypotensive following a drug
overdose. Following intubation VC A/C ventilation should be
initiated with which of the following oxygen concentrations?
A. 0.21
B. 0.50
C. 0.70
D. 1.0— Ans: — D. 1.0
8. A patient has been receiving VC ventilation for 24 hours. A
respiratory therapist is called to the bedside because the high
pressure alarm is sounding with each breath. What should the RT
do first?— Ans: — Manually ventilate the patient
9. Just prior to removing the endotracheal tube, a respiratory
therapist should do what?— Ans: — Deflate the cuff
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10. While preparing to assist with a chest tube insertion , an RT
learns that pleurodesis will follow. What equipment would the RT
provide?— Ans: — Hemostat and 3-way stopcock
11. What is the formula for dynamic compliance?— Ans: — VT/
(PIP-PEEP)
12. A 52-year-old patient with newly diagnosed OSA undergoes a
CPAP titration study. With a CPAP of 12cm H2O, the AHI is 3 and
the lowest observed oxygen saturation is 90%. The patient
continues to snore, what should the RT do?— Ans: — Increase the
CPAP level
13. What is the target FiO2 range of nasal cannula in a patient with
normal minute ventilation?— Ans: — 0.24-0.40
14. An RT is called to the ED to assist with the intubation of an
alert, agitated patient in respiratory failure. 2 intubation attempts
were unsuccessful. In addition to a neuromuscular blockade,
which of the following drugs will best facilitate intubation?
A. Propranolol HCl (Inderal)
B. Midazolam HCl (Versed)
C. Amlodipine (Norvasc)
D. Nitroprusside Sodium— Ans: — B. Midazolam HCl (Versed)
15. A 14 year old male who is 163cm /5ft4in tall and weighs
51kg/112lbs is brought to the ED for suspected drug overdose. He
is intubated receiving VC AC ventilation.
Mandatory Rate: 14
Tidal Volume: 300mL
Inspiratory Flow: 20L/min
Pressure limit: 50cm H2O
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The physician wants the RT to adjust the I:E from 1:1.2 to 1:3
What should the RT increase?— Ans: — The inspiratory flow
16.A 180-cm (5ft 11in) 75kg (165lb) male had a cardiac arrest and
is admitted to the ICU. The patient is apneic, receiving 100% O2 by
a bag valve mask resuscitator, and has an SpO2 of 94%. Which is
the most appropriate ventilator setting?
1. SIMV/FiO2 1.0/Rate 10/VT 400/PEEP +3
2. SIMV/FiO2 0.40/Rate 12/VT 750/PEEP +5
3. AC/ FiO2 1.0/Rate 12/VT 600/PEEP +5
4. AC/FiO2 0.40/Rate 10/VT 550/PEEP +3— Ans: — 3. AC/ FiO2
1.0/Rate 12/VT 600/PEEP +5
17. While instructing a 9-year-old with pneumonia in use of PEP
therapy device a respiratory therapist observes the child is
consistently unable to keep the seal around the mouthpiece. What
should the RT recommend?— Ans: — Select a mask rather than a
mouthpiece
18.What can be used to confirm the correct endotracheal tube
position?— Ans: — CXR
Lung fields appear whiter on a chest radiograph when the imaging
technique is ____________— Ans: — Underexposed
A 71-year-old man who has a femur fracture had a chest CT
angiogram due to increased shortness of breath. An RT observes
multiple pulmonary arterial thrombi. SpO2 is 94% while receiving
oxygen at 2L/min by nasal cannula. What should the RT
recommend?— Ans: — Intravenous heparin
A 49-year-old female with polyneuropathy has received mechanical
ventilation for 74 days. For the past week the patient has been
receiving an FiO2 of 0.28 by tracheostomy collar for progressively
longer periods of time. Data collected for the weaning trial are:
© 2025 All rights reserved
NBRC TMC Practice Exam Questions and
Correct Answers
1. A patient's sputum is purulent, green in appearance, has
separated into layers, and has a foul odor. What is the most likely
cause?
A. Aspiration
B. Tuberculosis
C. Emphysema
D. Bronchiectasis— Ans: — D. Bronchiectasis
2. A patient in the ICU complains of light headedness, nausea, and
chest pains. The patient is diaphoretic and has a blood pressure of
90/60mmHg. What should the RT recommend?
A. Lidocaine HCl
B. Cardioversion
C. Defibrillation
D. Epinephrine— Ans: — B. Cardioversion
3. A patient with Guillain-Barre syndrome has a vital capacity of
625mL. An RT should recommend which of the following be
performed FIRST?
A. MIP evaluation
B. Edrophonium Chloride (Tensilon) test
C. MVV test
D. EMG and nerve conduction study— Ans: — A. MIP
4. Which of the following beside pulmonary function testing
results for a patient with multiple sclerosis most strongly
indicates the need for ventilatory assistance?
A. 5% decrease in peak expiratory flow
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
B. FEV1/FVC 85%
C. MIP of -23cmH2O
D. Vital Capacity of 5 mL/kg— Ans: — D. Vital capacity of 5mL/kg
5. A 23-year-old patient is in moderate respiratory distress while
receiving oxygen.
ABG=7.42/ 31/ 38/ 20/ -3/ 71%
How should these results be interpreted?— Ans: — Chronic
Respiratory Alkalosis with severe hypoxemia
6. What is the patient's TLC?
Vital Capacity= 3.6L
FRC= 6.0 L
ERV = 1.0— Ans: — 8.6
7. A COPD patient becomes hypotensive following a drug
overdose. Following intubation VC A/C ventilation should be
initiated with which of the following oxygen concentrations?
A. 0.21
B. 0.50
C. 0.70
D. 1.0— Ans: — D. 1.0
8. A patient has been receiving VC ventilation for 24 hours. A
respiratory therapist is called to the bedside because the high
pressure alarm is sounding with each breath. What should the RT
do first?— Ans: — Manually ventilate the patient
9. Just prior to removing the endotracheal tube, a respiratory
therapist should do what?— Ans: — Deflate the cuff
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 3 | Page
10. While preparing to assist with a chest tube insertion , an RT
learns that pleurodesis will follow. What equipment would the RT
provide?— Ans: — Hemostat and 3-way stopcock
11. What is the formula for dynamic compliance?— Ans: — VT/
(PIP-PEEP)
12. A 52-year-old patient with newly diagnosed OSA undergoes a
CPAP titration study. With a CPAP of 12cm H2O, the AHI is 3 and
the lowest observed oxygen saturation is 90%. The patient
continues to snore, what should the RT do?— Ans: — Increase the
CPAP level
13. What is the target FiO2 range of nasal cannula in a patient with
normal minute ventilation?— Ans: — 0.24-0.40
14. An RT is called to the ED to assist with the intubation of an
alert, agitated patient in respiratory failure. 2 intubation attempts
were unsuccessful. In addition to a neuromuscular blockade,
which of the following drugs will best facilitate intubation?
A. Propranolol HCl (Inderal)
B. Midazolam HCl (Versed)
C. Amlodipine (Norvasc)
D. Nitroprusside Sodium— Ans: — B. Midazolam HCl (Versed)
15. A 14 year old male who is 163cm /5ft4in tall and weighs
51kg/112lbs is brought to the ED for suspected drug overdose. He
is intubated receiving VC AC ventilation.
Mandatory Rate: 14
Tidal Volume: 300mL
Inspiratory Flow: 20L/min
Pressure limit: 50cm H2O
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 4 | Page
The physician wants the RT to adjust the I:E from 1:1.2 to 1:3
What should the RT increase?— Ans: — The inspiratory flow
16.A 180-cm (5ft 11in) 75kg (165lb) male had a cardiac arrest and
is admitted to the ICU. The patient is apneic, receiving 100% O2 by
a bag valve mask resuscitator, and has an SpO2 of 94%. Which is
the most appropriate ventilator setting?
1. SIMV/FiO2 1.0/Rate 10/VT 400/PEEP +3
2. SIMV/FiO2 0.40/Rate 12/VT 750/PEEP +5
3. AC/ FiO2 1.0/Rate 12/VT 600/PEEP +5
4. AC/FiO2 0.40/Rate 10/VT 550/PEEP +3— Ans: — 3. AC/ FiO2
1.0/Rate 12/VT 600/PEEP +5
17. While instructing a 9-year-old with pneumonia in use of PEP
therapy device a respiratory therapist observes the child is
consistently unable to keep the seal around the mouthpiece. What
should the RT recommend?— Ans: — Select a mask rather than a
mouthpiece
18.What can be used to confirm the correct endotracheal tube
position?— Ans: — CXR
Lung fields appear whiter on a chest radiograph when the imaging
technique is ____________— Ans: — Underexposed
A 71-year-old man who has a femur fracture had a chest CT
angiogram due to increased shortness of breath. An RT observes
multiple pulmonary arterial thrombi. SpO2 is 94% while receiving
oxygen at 2L/min by nasal cannula. What should the RT
recommend?— Ans: — Intravenous heparin
A 49-year-old female with polyneuropathy has received mechanical
ventilation for 74 days. For the past week the patient has been
receiving an FiO2 of 0.28 by tracheostomy collar for progressively
longer periods of time. Data collected for the weaning trial are:
© 2025 All rights reserved
