TMC EXAM PREP UPDATED
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS.
List the four critical life functions - ANS 1. Ventilation
2. Oxygenation
3. Circulation
4. Perfusion
Which of these life functions is the first priority? - ANS Ventilation
What assessments would determine how well a patient is ventilating? - ANS Respiratory Rate,
Tidal Volume, Chest Movement, Breath Sounds, PaCO2, End Tidal CO2
How would the therapist determine if a patient has a problem with oxygenation? - ANS Heart
Rate, Color, Sensorium, PaO2, SaO2
What information would help the therapist determine if a patient's circulation is adequate? -
ANS Heart Rate and Strength, C.O.
What changes would indicate that a patient may not have adequate perfusion? - ANS Blood
Pressure, Temperature, Urine Output, Hemodynamics
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,Explain the difference between "signs" and "symptoms" and list an example of each. -
ANS Signs: Objective Information (What You can See)
Example: Color, Pulse, BP
Symptoms: Subjective Information (What the patient tells you)
Example: Dyspnea, Pain, Nausea
List 5 items that are important to examine when reviewing a patient's medical record - ANS 1.
Admitting Diagnosis
2. History of Present Illness
3. Chief Complaint
4. Past Medical History
5. Current Medications
Define an Advance Directive - ANS A set of instructions documenting treatment desired if
patient is unable to communicate.
List and Describe the 4 types of Advance Directives - ANS 1. DNR: Do Not Resuscitate - Let
patient die
2. DNI: Do Not Intubate - don't intubate
3. Living Will: typically used for terminally ill patients
4. Durable POA for Health Care: a health care proxy is responsible for making health care
decisions for patient
A properly written order for respiratory care should include what four factors? - ANS 1. Type
of Treatment
2. Frequency
3. Prescription Dosage & Route of Prescription Administration
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,4. Physician Signature
The RT has just finished administering an aerosol treatment with albuterol to a child with
asthma. What should be included in documentation of the treatment? - ANS Date, Time,
Reactions, Medication Given, Dosage, Route of Administration
What is the normal value for urine output? - ANS 40 mL/Hr or approx 1L/day
What findings might indicate that the patient's fluid intake has exceeded his urine output? -
ANS 1. Weight Gain
2. Electrolyte Imbalance
3. Increased Hemodynamic Pressures
4. Decreased Lung Compliance
Changes in what value can indicate hypovolemia? - ANS decreased CVP
Describe medication reconciliation. - ANS The process of ensuring that a patient's medication
list is as accurate and up-to-date as possible
state the proper time period for medication reconciliation once a patient is admitted to the
hospital - ANS 24 hrs.
Define semicomatose - ANS responds only to painful stimuli
Define lethargic/somnolent - ANS sleepy (consider sleep apnea or excessive O2 therapy in
patient with COPD)
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, Define obtunded - ANS drowsy state; may have decreased cough or gag reflex (INTUBATE)
When assessing a patient's orientation to time, place and person, what are some of the factors
that could affect the patient's ability to cooperate? - ANS 1. Language Barrier
2. Influence of Medications
3. Hearing Loss
4. Fear, Apprehension, Depression, etc.
Define Activities of Daily Living (ADL) - ANS Basic tasks of everyday life
List the 6 criteria that Activities of Daily Living (ADL) are based upon. - ANS 1. Bathing
2. Eating
3. Dressing
4. Toilet Use
5. Transferring
6. Urine & Bowel Continence
ADL are evaluated using the ____ Scoring System. - ANS Katz
Measuring subjective symptoms - define the following terms:
1. Orthopnea
2. General Malaise
3. Dyspnea
4. Dysphagia - ANS 1. difficulty breathing except in the upright position (CHF patients)
2. run down feeling, nausea, weakness, fatigue, headache (electrolyte imbalance)
3. Shortness of Breath (SOB)
4 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS.
List the four critical life functions - ANS 1. Ventilation
2. Oxygenation
3. Circulation
4. Perfusion
Which of these life functions is the first priority? - ANS Ventilation
What assessments would determine how well a patient is ventilating? - ANS Respiratory Rate,
Tidal Volume, Chest Movement, Breath Sounds, PaCO2, End Tidal CO2
How would the therapist determine if a patient has a problem with oxygenation? - ANS Heart
Rate, Color, Sensorium, PaO2, SaO2
What information would help the therapist determine if a patient's circulation is adequate? -
ANS Heart Rate and Strength, C.O.
What changes would indicate that a patient may not have adequate perfusion? - ANS Blood
Pressure, Temperature, Urine Output, Hemodynamics
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,Explain the difference between "signs" and "symptoms" and list an example of each. -
ANS Signs: Objective Information (What You can See)
Example: Color, Pulse, BP
Symptoms: Subjective Information (What the patient tells you)
Example: Dyspnea, Pain, Nausea
List 5 items that are important to examine when reviewing a patient's medical record - ANS 1.
Admitting Diagnosis
2. History of Present Illness
3. Chief Complaint
4. Past Medical History
5. Current Medications
Define an Advance Directive - ANS A set of instructions documenting treatment desired if
patient is unable to communicate.
List and Describe the 4 types of Advance Directives - ANS 1. DNR: Do Not Resuscitate - Let
patient die
2. DNI: Do Not Intubate - don't intubate
3. Living Will: typically used for terminally ill patients
4. Durable POA for Health Care: a health care proxy is responsible for making health care
decisions for patient
A properly written order for respiratory care should include what four factors? - ANS 1. Type
of Treatment
2. Frequency
3. Prescription Dosage & Route of Prescription Administration
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,4. Physician Signature
The RT has just finished administering an aerosol treatment with albuterol to a child with
asthma. What should be included in documentation of the treatment? - ANS Date, Time,
Reactions, Medication Given, Dosage, Route of Administration
What is the normal value for urine output? - ANS 40 mL/Hr or approx 1L/day
What findings might indicate that the patient's fluid intake has exceeded his urine output? -
ANS 1. Weight Gain
2. Electrolyte Imbalance
3. Increased Hemodynamic Pressures
4. Decreased Lung Compliance
Changes in what value can indicate hypovolemia? - ANS decreased CVP
Describe medication reconciliation. - ANS The process of ensuring that a patient's medication
list is as accurate and up-to-date as possible
state the proper time period for medication reconciliation once a patient is admitted to the
hospital - ANS 24 hrs.
Define semicomatose - ANS responds only to painful stimuli
Define lethargic/somnolent - ANS sleepy (consider sleep apnea or excessive O2 therapy in
patient with COPD)
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, Define obtunded - ANS drowsy state; may have decreased cough or gag reflex (INTUBATE)
When assessing a patient's orientation to time, place and person, what are some of the factors
that could affect the patient's ability to cooperate? - ANS 1. Language Barrier
2. Influence of Medications
3. Hearing Loss
4. Fear, Apprehension, Depression, etc.
Define Activities of Daily Living (ADL) - ANS Basic tasks of everyday life
List the 6 criteria that Activities of Daily Living (ADL) are based upon. - ANS 1. Bathing
2. Eating
3. Dressing
4. Toilet Use
5. Transferring
6. Urine & Bowel Continence
ADL are evaluated using the ____ Scoring System. - ANS Katz
Measuring subjective symptoms - define the following terms:
1. Orthopnea
2. General Malaise
3. Dyspnea
4. Dysphagia - ANS 1. difficulty breathing except in the upright position (CHF patients)
2. run down feeling, nausea, weakness, fatigue, headache (electrolyte imbalance)
3. Shortness of Breath (SOB)
4 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
