TEXAS RESPIRATORY THERAPIST LICENSING
LEVEL I EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD, PDF
1. Which of the following is the normal range for arterial PaO₂ in
adults?
A. 40–50 mmHg
B. 60–70 mmHg
C. 80–100 mmHg
D. 110–120 mmHg
PaO₂ measures oxygen in arterial blood; normal adult values are 80–
100 mmHg.
2. Which device is best for delivering a precise concentration of
oxygen to a patient?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Simple face mask
C. Venturi mask
D. Non-rebreather mask
Venturi masks allow precise FiO₂ delivery by using different color-coded
adapters.
3. What is the primary purpose of PEEP in mechanical ventilation?
A. Decrease airway resistance
B. Prevent alveolar collapse at end-expiration
C. Increase respiratory rate
,D. Reduce tidal volume
PEEP maintains alveoli open, improving oxygenation and preventing
atelectasis.
4. Which ABG finding indicates uncompensated respiratory acidosis?
A. pH 7.45, PaCO₂ 50 mmHg
B. pH 7.25, PaCO₂ 55 mmHg
C. pH 7.55, PaCO₂ 30 mmHg
D. pH 7.35, PaCO₂ 40 mmHg
Low pH with elevated PaCO₂ indicates respiratory acidosis without
metabolic compensation.
5. Which of the following medications is classified as a short-acting
beta-agonist?
A. Salmeterol
B. Albuterol
C. Tiotropium
D. Fluticasone
Albuterol provides rapid bronchodilation, used for acute symptom relief.
6. The most common cause of hypoxemia in COPD patients is:
A. Hypoventilation
B. V/Q mismatch
C. Shunt
D. Diffusion defect
COPD often causes ventilation-perfusion mismatch, leading to
hypoxemia.
7. Which lung sound is characterized by high-pitched wheezing during
expiration?
A. Crackles
B. Wheezes
C. Rhonchi
, D. Stridor
Wheezes are continuous high-pitched sounds caused by narrowed
airways.
8. A patient on a mechanical ventilator has sudden hypotension. The
first step is:
A. Increase tidal volume
B. Check for tension pneumothorax
C. Administer sedatives
D. Reduce PEEP
Sudden hypotension in ventilated patients may indicate tension
pneumothorax, which is life-threatening.
9. The main function of surfactant is to:
A. Increase airway resistance
B. Reduce alveolar surface tension
C. Promote mucus production
D. Stimulate ciliary movement
Surfactant prevents alveolar collapse by reducing surface tension.
10. Which is the most appropriate suction catheter size for an adult
endotracheal tube (ETT)?
A. 6–8 Fr
B. 8–10 Fr
C. 12–14 Fr
D. 16–18 Fr
Catheter should be ≤ ½ the internal diameter of the ETT to prevent
trauma and hypoxia.
11. What is the first-line treatment for acute asthma exacerbation?
A. Inhaled corticosteroids
B. Short-acting beta-agonist
C. Leukotriene inhibitor
LEVEL I EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD, PDF
1. Which of the following is the normal range for arterial PaO₂ in
adults?
A. 40–50 mmHg
B. 60–70 mmHg
C. 80–100 mmHg
D. 110–120 mmHg
PaO₂ measures oxygen in arterial blood; normal adult values are 80–
100 mmHg.
2. Which device is best for delivering a precise concentration of
oxygen to a patient?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Simple face mask
C. Venturi mask
D. Non-rebreather mask
Venturi masks allow precise FiO₂ delivery by using different color-coded
adapters.
3. What is the primary purpose of PEEP in mechanical ventilation?
A. Decrease airway resistance
B. Prevent alveolar collapse at end-expiration
C. Increase respiratory rate
,D. Reduce tidal volume
PEEP maintains alveoli open, improving oxygenation and preventing
atelectasis.
4. Which ABG finding indicates uncompensated respiratory acidosis?
A. pH 7.45, PaCO₂ 50 mmHg
B. pH 7.25, PaCO₂ 55 mmHg
C. pH 7.55, PaCO₂ 30 mmHg
D. pH 7.35, PaCO₂ 40 mmHg
Low pH with elevated PaCO₂ indicates respiratory acidosis without
metabolic compensation.
5. Which of the following medications is classified as a short-acting
beta-agonist?
A. Salmeterol
B. Albuterol
C. Tiotropium
D. Fluticasone
Albuterol provides rapid bronchodilation, used for acute symptom relief.
6. The most common cause of hypoxemia in COPD patients is:
A. Hypoventilation
B. V/Q mismatch
C. Shunt
D. Diffusion defect
COPD often causes ventilation-perfusion mismatch, leading to
hypoxemia.
7. Which lung sound is characterized by high-pitched wheezing during
expiration?
A. Crackles
B. Wheezes
C. Rhonchi
, D. Stridor
Wheezes are continuous high-pitched sounds caused by narrowed
airways.
8. A patient on a mechanical ventilator has sudden hypotension. The
first step is:
A. Increase tidal volume
B. Check for tension pneumothorax
C. Administer sedatives
D. Reduce PEEP
Sudden hypotension in ventilated patients may indicate tension
pneumothorax, which is life-threatening.
9. The main function of surfactant is to:
A. Increase airway resistance
B. Reduce alveolar surface tension
C. Promote mucus production
D. Stimulate ciliary movement
Surfactant prevents alveolar collapse by reducing surface tension.
10. Which is the most appropriate suction catheter size for an adult
endotracheal tube (ETT)?
A. 6–8 Fr
B. 8–10 Fr
C. 12–14 Fr
D. 16–18 Fr
Catheter should be ≤ ½ the internal diameter of the ETT to prevent
trauma and hypoxia.
11. What is the first-line treatment for acute asthma exacerbation?
A. Inhaled corticosteroids
B. Short-acting beta-agonist
C. Leukotriene inhibitor
