TMC EXAM A Questions with answers, 100% Verified.
Rated A+2025/2026
Which of the following values should the respiratory therapist report as indicative of
pulmonary embolism in a patient with acute dyspnea?
A. QS/QT of 10%
B. VD/VT of 60%
C. CL of 60 mL/cm H2O
D. RAW of 2.4 cm H2O/L/sec . (-correct answer --->>>)b
A 70-kg (154 lb) patient with emphysema receives mechanical ventilation. Current
ventilator settings are as follows: VC, SIMV; VT 550 mL, respiratory rate 12/min, FIO2
0.30. The patient is awake and alert and does not appear to be in any distress. The total
respiratory rate is 14/min. ABG results are as follows: pH 7.35, PaCO2 58 torr; PaO2 65
torr; HCO3 30 mEq/L. His SpO2 is 94% and MIP is -30 cm H2O. This patient is most
likely . (-correct answer --->>>)ready for a spontaneous breathing trial.
A 36 year-old fireman was trapped and subsequently rescued from the collapse of a
burning building. Which of the following devices would be appropriate to accurately
assess his oxygenation status? . (-correct answer --->>>)Hemoximeter
Upon review of the chest radiograph after an elective intubation, the respiratory
therapist notes that the distal tip of the endotracheal tube is 3 cm above the carina. How
should the therapist interpret this finding? . (-correct answer --->>>)The tube is in
the proper position.
A 68 year-old patient with advanced emphysema is receiving oxygen by nasal cannula
at 1 L/min. The physician has ordered that the patient's SpO2 be maintained at 90%.
ABG on 1 L/min are pH 7.34, PaCO2 65 torr, PaO2 55 torr, HCO3 35 mEq/L. What
should the respiratory therapist recommend FIRST? . (-correct answer ---
>>>)Titrate oxygen flow to the nasal cannula
The respiratory therapist assisted the pulmonologist with a bedside fiberoptic
bronchoscopy procedure in the ICU. In order to clean and disinfect the bronchoscope,
the therapist should . (-correct answer --->>>)soak in alkaline glutaraldehyde for 10
hours.
The respiratory therapist is called to ICU to evaluate a patient on continuous flow CPAP
(8 cm H2O, FIO2 0.30) who is showing signs of respiratory distress. The patient's SpO2
has changed from 94% to 90%. The therapist observes that the CPAP pressure
manometer displays negative pressure during inspiration. The therapist should . (-
correct answer --->>>)increase inspiratory flow to the CPAP system
,The physician asks the respiratory therapist to monitor the effectiveness of
bronchodilator therapy in a patient with asthma. What is the most appropriate parameter
to monitor? . (-correct answer --->>>)Serial peak flow measurement
A patient receiving high frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) demonstrates excess
CO2 retention on a recent arterial blood gas. Which of the following could be adjusted to
correct this situation? . (-correct answer --->>>)Amplitude (∆P)
The high pressure alarm sounds frequently on the ventilator of a 58 year-old patient
who is being mechanically ventilated following major orthopedic surgery. The mandatory
rate on the ventilator is 12/min and auscultation reveals bilateral vesicular breath
sounds. Current vital signs include: heart rate 130/min, respiratory rate 36/min, blood
pressure 125/88 mm Hg, temperature 37.1°C (98.8°F), and SpO2 96%. The patient
appears quite agitated. The patient's respiratory pattern is most likely the result of . (-
correct answer --->>>)post-operative pain.
While evaluating a patient who is in semi-Fowler position, the respiratory therapist finds
that the patient's jugular vein extends approximately 7 cm above his sternal angle. The
therapist should recommend initiation of which therapy? . (-correct answer ---
>>>)Positive inotrope
The patient in ICU Bed 6 is noted to have a meniscus in the left chest with a blunted left
costophrenic angle on the morning chest radiograph. On physical exam, the respiratory
therapist finds that the breath sounds are decreased on the left with a dull percussion
note. What treatment should the therapist recommend? . (-correct answer ---
>>>)Perform a left posterior thoracentesis.
Following CABG surgery, a 59 year-old patient's C(a-v)O2 increases from 5 mL/dL to 8
mL/dL. The respiratory therapist should report to the physician that the patient's . (-
correct answer --->>>)cardiac output is decreasing.
The respiratory therapist obtains a SpO2 reading of 90% on a patient receiving oxygen
therapy via 50% venti-mask. This would indicate a PO2 value of approximately . (-
correct answer --->>>)60 torr
While making oxygen rounds, the respiratory therapist hears a high-pitched sound
coming from a bubble humidifier. The patient is receiving oxygen by air-entrainment
mask at 28% and the oxygen flowmeter is set at 12 L/min. The therapist should . (-
correct answer --->>>)remove the bubble humidifier.
A 33 year-old patient with trauma has been ventilated at the current settings for 24
hours. While reviewing ventilator data from the patient, the respiratory therapist notes
the following:
,0800
Peak Inspiratory Pressure (cm H2O) *28*
Plateau Pressure (cm H2O) *23*
1000
Peak Inspiratory Pressure (cm H2O) *35* Plateau Pressure (cm H2O) *25*
1200
Peak Inspiratory Pressure (cm H2O) *50*
Plateau Pressure (cm H2O) *25*
This information would indicate that . (-correct answer --->>>)the patient needs
suctioning
Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation (NPPV) is contraindicated for the
management of which of the following conditions? . (-correct answer --->>>)Adult
respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
A sputum sample from an intubated patient with pneumonia has an offensive odor and
is described as green and mucopurulent. The respiratory therapist should suspect that
this condition is caused by . (-correct answer --->>>)Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
A pediatric patient on high-flow oxygen therapy is monitored with a finger pulse oximetry
probe. There are frequent and repeated false low SpO2 alarms (less than 90%). Which
of the following should the respiratory therapist recommend in this situation? . (-
correct answer --->>>)Relocate the sensor to the forehead or ear lobe.
A 44 year-old patient who suffered a cerebral vascular accident has been moved from
Neuro-ICU to the step-down unit. He becomes diaphoretic and his SpO2 suddenly
drops from 95% to 88% on a 32% tracheostomy collar. His heart rate is 115/min,
respiratory rate is 42/min and his breath sounds are very diminished. The respiratory
therapist is unsuccessful in attempting to pass a 12 Fr suction catheter. The therapist
should . (-correct answer --->>>)replace the tracheostomy tube.
A well-penetrated chest X-ray has which of the following qualities? . (-correct
answer --->>>)Vertebrae are just visible behind the heart.
A 13 year-old patient in the ED complains of dyspnea, chest tightness, and a loose
productive cough. The patient has a respiratory rate of 33 breaths/minute and bilateral
wheezing in the lungs. What treatment should the respiratory therapist initiate? . (-
correct answer --->>>)oxygen
A spontaneously breathing post-CVA patient has developed right lower lobe infiltrates
on chest x-ray and has coarse breath sounds. When the respiratory therapist attempts
to suction the patient by the nasotracheal route, a gag reflex is present but the patient
does not cough. Watery secretions are aspirated through the suction catheter. The
, therapist should . (-correct answer --->>>)reposition the patient to a sniffing
position.
After performing spirometry on a patient in the pulmonary clinic, the respiratory therapist
notes that both the inspiratory and expiratory flow portion of the flow-volume loop is
flattened. The therapist should interpret the condition demonstrated on the flow-volume
loop as a/an . (-correct answer --->>>)large airway obstruction.
A 30 year-old male with bronchitis has coarse bilateral rales with a SpO2 of 90%.
Despite a good cough effort, he has great difficulty in removing his thick secretions. The
respiratory therapist should initiate . (-correct answer --->>>)a heated humidifier
and oxygen therapy.
A 58 year-old male patient receives mechanical ventilation in the ICU on the following
settings: VC,SIMV, VT 650 mL, f 12/min, FIO2 0.65, PEEP 10 cm H2O. He has a large
amount of thick, yellow secretions. How should the respiratory therapist suction this
patient? . (-correct answer --->>>)Use a closed-system suction catheter.
An oxygen-dependent patient uses a nasal cannula at 3 L/min continuously at home. He
complains that his liquid oxygen portable device runs out too quickly when he attends
church services and prevents him from dining out in restaurants afterwards. Which of
the following devices should the respiratory therapist recommend to resolve the issue? .
(-correct answer --->>>)Use a pulse-dose oxygen delivery system.
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 . (-correct 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.
Rated A+2025/2026
Which of the following values should the respiratory therapist report as indicative of
pulmonary embolism in a patient with acute dyspnea?
A. QS/QT of 10%
B. VD/VT of 60%
C. CL of 60 mL/cm H2O
D. RAW of 2.4 cm H2O/L/sec . (-correct answer --->>>)b
A 70-kg (154 lb) patient with emphysema receives mechanical ventilation. Current
ventilator settings are as follows: VC, SIMV; VT 550 mL, respiratory rate 12/min, FIO2
0.30. The patient is awake and alert and does not appear to be in any distress. The total
respiratory rate is 14/min. ABG results are as follows: pH 7.35, PaCO2 58 torr; PaO2 65
torr; HCO3 30 mEq/L. His SpO2 is 94% and MIP is -30 cm H2O. This patient is most
likely . (-correct answer --->>>)ready for a spontaneous breathing trial.
A 36 year-old fireman was trapped and subsequently rescued from the collapse of a
burning building. Which of the following devices would be appropriate to accurately
assess his oxygenation status? . (-correct answer --->>>)Hemoximeter
Upon review of the chest radiograph after an elective intubation, the respiratory
therapist notes that the distal tip of the endotracheal tube is 3 cm above the carina. How
should the therapist interpret this finding? . (-correct answer --->>>)The tube is in
the proper position.
A 68 year-old patient with advanced emphysema is receiving oxygen by nasal cannula
at 1 L/min. The physician has ordered that the patient's SpO2 be maintained at 90%.
ABG on 1 L/min are pH 7.34, PaCO2 65 torr, PaO2 55 torr, HCO3 35 mEq/L. What
should the respiratory therapist recommend FIRST? . (-correct answer ---
>>>)Titrate oxygen flow to the nasal cannula
The respiratory therapist assisted the pulmonologist with a bedside fiberoptic
bronchoscopy procedure in the ICU. In order to clean and disinfect the bronchoscope,
the therapist should . (-correct answer --->>>)soak in alkaline glutaraldehyde for 10
hours.
The respiratory therapist is called to ICU to evaluate a patient on continuous flow CPAP
(8 cm H2O, FIO2 0.30) who is showing signs of respiratory distress. The patient's SpO2
has changed from 94% to 90%. The therapist observes that the CPAP pressure
manometer displays negative pressure during inspiration. The therapist should . (-
correct answer --->>>)increase inspiratory flow to the CPAP system
,The physician asks the respiratory therapist to monitor the effectiveness of
bronchodilator therapy in a patient with asthma. What is the most appropriate parameter
to monitor? . (-correct answer --->>>)Serial peak flow measurement
A patient receiving high frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) demonstrates excess
CO2 retention on a recent arterial blood gas. Which of the following could be adjusted to
correct this situation? . (-correct answer --->>>)Amplitude (∆P)
The high pressure alarm sounds frequently on the ventilator of a 58 year-old patient
who is being mechanically ventilated following major orthopedic surgery. The mandatory
rate on the ventilator is 12/min and auscultation reveals bilateral vesicular breath
sounds. Current vital signs include: heart rate 130/min, respiratory rate 36/min, blood
pressure 125/88 mm Hg, temperature 37.1°C (98.8°F), and SpO2 96%. The patient
appears quite agitated. The patient's respiratory pattern is most likely the result of . (-
correct answer --->>>)post-operative pain.
While evaluating a patient who is in semi-Fowler position, the respiratory therapist finds
that the patient's jugular vein extends approximately 7 cm above his sternal angle. The
therapist should recommend initiation of which therapy? . (-correct answer ---
>>>)Positive inotrope
The patient in ICU Bed 6 is noted to have a meniscus in the left chest with a blunted left
costophrenic angle on the morning chest radiograph. On physical exam, the respiratory
therapist finds that the breath sounds are decreased on the left with a dull percussion
note. What treatment should the therapist recommend? . (-correct answer ---
>>>)Perform a left posterior thoracentesis.
Following CABG surgery, a 59 year-old patient's C(a-v)O2 increases from 5 mL/dL to 8
mL/dL. The respiratory therapist should report to the physician that the patient's . (-
correct answer --->>>)cardiac output is decreasing.
The respiratory therapist obtains a SpO2 reading of 90% on a patient receiving oxygen
therapy via 50% venti-mask. This would indicate a PO2 value of approximately . (-
correct answer --->>>)60 torr
While making oxygen rounds, the respiratory therapist hears a high-pitched sound
coming from a bubble humidifier. The patient is receiving oxygen by air-entrainment
mask at 28% and the oxygen flowmeter is set at 12 L/min. The therapist should . (-
correct answer --->>>)remove the bubble humidifier.
A 33 year-old patient with trauma has been ventilated at the current settings for 24
hours. While reviewing ventilator data from the patient, the respiratory therapist notes
the following:
,0800
Peak Inspiratory Pressure (cm H2O) *28*
Plateau Pressure (cm H2O) *23*
1000
Peak Inspiratory Pressure (cm H2O) *35* Plateau Pressure (cm H2O) *25*
1200
Peak Inspiratory Pressure (cm H2O) *50*
Plateau Pressure (cm H2O) *25*
This information would indicate that . (-correct answer --->>>)the patient needs
suctioning
Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation (NPPV) is contraindicated for the
management of which of the following conditions? . (-correct answer --->>>)Adult
respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
A sputum sample from an intubated patient with pneumonia has an offensive odor and
is described as green and mucopurulent. The respiratory therapist should suspect that
this condition is caused by . (-correct answer --->>>)Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
A pediatric patient on high-flow oxygen therapy is monitored with a finger pulse oximetry
probe. There are frequent and repeated false low SpO2 alarms (less than 90%). Which
of the following should the respiratory therapist recommend in this situation? . (-
correct answer --->>>)Relocate the sensor to the forehead or ear lobe.
A 44 year-old patient who suffered a cerebral vascular accident has been moved from
Neuro-ICU to the step-down unit. He becomes diaphoretic and his SpO2 suddenly
drops from 95% to 88% on a 32% tracheostomy collar. His heart rate is 115/min,
respiratory rate is 42/min and his breath sounds are very diminished. The respiratory
therapist is unsuccessful in attempting to pass a 12 Fr suction catheter. The therapist
should . (-correct answer --->>>)replace the tracheostomy tube.
A well-penetrated chest X-ray has which of the following qualities? . (-correct
answer --->>>)Vertebrae are just visible behind the heart.
A 13 year-old patient in the ED complains of dyspnea, chest tightness, and a loose
productive cough. The patient has a respiratory rate of 33 breaths/minute and bilateral
wheezing in the lungs. What treatment should the respiratory therapist initiate? . (-
correct answer --->>>)oxygen
A spontaneously breathing post-CVA patient has developed right lower lobe infiltrates
on chest x-ray and has coarse breath sounds. When the respiratory therapist attempts
to suction the patient by the nasotracheal route, a gag reflex is present but the patient
does not cough. Watery secretions are aspirated through the suction catheter. The
, therapist should . (-correct answer --->>>)reposition the patient to a sniffing
position.
After performing spirometry on a patient in the pulmonary clinic, the respiratory therapist
notes that both the inspiratory and expiratory flow portion of the flow-volume loop is
flattened. The therapist should interpret the condition demonstrated on the flow-volume
loop as a/an . (-correct answer --->>>)large airway obstruction.
A 30 year-old male with bronchitis has coarse bilateral rales with a SpO2 of 90%.
Despite a good cough effort, he has great difficulty in removing his thick secretions. The
respiratory therapist should initiate . (-correct answer --->>>)a heated humidifier
and oxygen therapy.
A 58 year-old male patient receives mechanical ventilation in the ICU on the following
settings: VC,SIMV, VT 650 mL, f 12/min, FIO2 0.65, PEEP 10 cm H2O. He has a large
amount of thick, yellow secretions. How should the respiratory therapist suction this
patient? . (-correct answer --->>>)Use a closed-system suction catheter.
An oxygen-dependent patient uses a nasal cannula at 3 L/min continuously at home. He
complains that his liquid oxygen portable device runs out too quickly when he attends
church services and prevents him from dining out in restaurants afterwards. Which of
the following devices should the respiratory therapist recommend to resolve the issue? .
(-correct answer --->>>)Use a pulse-dose oxygen delivery system.
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 . (-correct 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.
