C&S TMC Exam Questions with Answers
Question 1
A respiratory therapist is assisting a physician during a transtracheal bronchoscopy. As
the bronchoscope is advanced in the airways, the above ECG tracing is observed on
the patient's cardiac monitor. The RT should recommend?
Correct Answer
Administration of lidocaine.
Question 2
After extubating a patient the RT observes the onset of inspiratory stridor. After
administering racemic epinephrine (vaponefrin), the patient still has inspiratory
stridor, but a lesser extent. The therapist should now do what?
Correct Answer
Continue with current therapy.
Question 3
Prior to bronchodilator therapy, a patient is tachycardic and tachypneic with bilateral
inspiratory and expiratory wheezing. 30 minutes after the administration of the
bronchodilator, the patient has normal vital signs and is resting comfortably. Which of
the following has most clearly improved?
Correct Answer
Resistance to airflow
Page 1 of 38
,Question 4
While monitoring a patient during a traditional t tube weaning trial with an FiO2 of
0.40. the respiratory therapist records the following data:
-------------------------------------
Data prior to weaning 15 minutes after the start of weaning
Heart Rate
88/min 112/min
Respiratory Rate
12/min 24/min
PaCO2
37 mm Hg 54 mm Hg
PaO2
79 mm Hg 72 mm Hg
Which of the following actions would be appropriate at this time?
Correct Answer
Reconnect the patient to the ventilator with prior settings.
Question 5
If the flowmeter is set too low on high flow oxygen system, the RT should expect
Correct Answer
A decrease in inspired oxygen
Question 6
After a patient is placed in the head down position for postural drainage of the right
lower lobe, he begins to cough vigorously and becomes short of breath. What should
the RT do?
Correct Answer
Sit patient up and reassure him coughing is normal.
Question 7
Which of the following is best suitable for an adult patient requiring long-term
continuous ventilatory support?
Correct Answer
A cuffed tracheostomy tube
Page 2 of 38
,Question 8
Nasotracheal intubation would be preferred over oratracheal intubation in which of
the following clinical situations?
Correct Answer
4; Repair of a fractured mandible-yes/no/no
Question 9
The most important aspect regarding quality control for blood gas analyst is that?
Correct Answer
The blood gas analyzer always functions properly prior to patient sample analysis
Question 10
When using a non rebreathing oxygen mask, the flowmeter should be set on?
Correct Answer
Where the bag does not deflate more than one third during inspiration
Question 11
An ICU patient has been receiving potassium replacement therapy for two days. The
ECG rhythm shown above was recorded on the patients cardiac monitor on day 2
treatment. Which of the following should the RT initially recommend to further assess
the patients clinical conditions?
Correct Answer
Electrolytes
Question 12
A RT is caring for a neonatal patient who has a transcutaneous PO2 electrode in place
on the right chest. Over the last 6 hrs, the therapist observes that the transcutaneous
PO2 measurement has decreased from 79 mm Hg to 62 mm Hg. The most likely
cause for this situation is
Correct Answer
The neonates pulmonary condition has deteriorated
Page 3 of 38
, Question 13
After being asked to take a breath , the patient states that he is unable to take a deep
breath. The RT would conclude that the patient is most likely:
Correct Answer
Uncooperative
Question 14
A 52 yr old obese male in acute respiratory distress has just been admitted to the ED.
Physical examination reveals accessory ventilatory muscle use, neck vein distension,
and pedal edema. There is markedly diminished breath sounds and expiratory
wheezes throughout both lung fields. The patient is expectorating copious
mucopurulent sputum. The patients vital signs are: pulse 132/min, BP 196/112 mm
Hg; respirations 38/min, and temperature 100.1 deg F. ABG's drawn while the patient
was breathing room air are: ph:7.27, PaO2:54 mm Hg, PaCO2: 62 mm Hg, HCO3: 27.
Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis for this patient ?
Correct Answer
Chronic bronchitis exacerbated by an acute pulmonary infection
Question 15
The data shows for an intubated , Mechanically ventilated patient receiving an FiO2 of
0.90 - Cardiac output- 5.9 L/min
- Blood pressure- 132/86 mmHg
- Ph- 7.38
- PaCO2- 42 mm Hg
- HCO3- 24
- PaO2- 61 mm Hg
The data are suggestive for which of the following?
Correct Answer
Adult respiratory distress syndrome
Question 16
The second heart sound ( S2 ) is produced by?
Correct Answer
The sudden closing of the aortic and pulmonic valves
Page 4 of 38
Question 1
A respiratory therapist is assisting a physician during a transtracheal bronchoscopy. As
the bronchoscope is advanced in the airways, the above ECG tracing is observed on
the patient's cardiac monitor. The RT should recommend?
Correct Answer
Administration of lidocaine.
Question 2
After extubating a patient the RT observes the onset of inspiratory stridor. After
administering racemic epinephrine (vaponefrin), the patient still has inspiratory
stridor, but a lesser extent. The therapist should now do what?
Correct Answer
Continue with current therapy.
Question 3
Prior to bronchodilator therapy, a patient is tachycardic and tachypneic with bilateral
inspiratory and expiratory wheezing. 30 minutes after the administration of the
bronchodilator, the patient has normal vital signs and is resting comfortably. Which of
the following has most clearly improved?
Correct Answer
Resistance to airflow
Page 1 of 38
,Question 4
While monitoring a patient during a traditional t tube weaning trial with an FiO2 of
0.40. the respiratory therapist records the following data:
-------------------------------------
Data prior to weaning 15 minutes after the start of weaning
Heart Rate
88/min 112/min
Respiratory Rate
12/min 24/min
PaCO2
37 mm Hg 54 mm Hg
PaO2
79 mm Hg 72 mm Hg
Which of the following actions would be appropriate at this time?
Correct Answer
Reconnect the patient to the ventilator with prior settings.
Question 5
If the flowmeter is set too low on high flow oxygen system, the RT should expect
Correct Answer
A decrease in inspired oxygen
Question 6
After a patient is placed in the head down position for postural drainage of the right
lower lobe, he begins to cough vigorously and becomes short of breath. What should
the RT do?
Correct Answer
Sit patient up and reassure him coughing is normal.
Question 7
Which of the following is best suitable for an adult patient requiring long-term
continuous ventilatory support?
Correct Answer
A cuffed tracheostomy tube
Page 2 of 38
,Question 8
Nasotracheal intubation would be preferred over oratracheal intubation in which of
the following clinical situations?
Correct Answer
4; Repair of a fractured mandible-yes/no/no
Question 9
The most important aspect regarding quality control for blood gas analyst is that?
Correct Answer
The blood gas analyzer always functions properly prior to patient sample analysis
Question 10
When using a non rebreathing oxygen mask, the flowmeter should be set on?
Correct Answer
Where the bag does not deflate more than one third during inspiration
Question 11
An ICU patient has been receiving potassium replacement therapy for two days. The
ECG rhythm shown above was recorded on the patients cardiac monitor on day 2
treatment. Which of the following should the RT initially recommend to further assess
the patients clinical conditions?
Correct Answer
Electrolytes
Question 12
A RT is caring for a neonatal patient who has a transcutaneous PO2 electrode in place
on the right chest. Over the last 6 hrs, the therapist observes that the transcutaneous
PO2 measurement has decreased from 79 mm Hg to 62 mm Hg. The most likely
cause for this situation is
Correct Answer
The neonates pulmonary condition has deteriorated
Page 3 of 38
, Question 13
After being asked to take a breath , the patient states that he is unable to take a deep
breath. The RT would conclude that the patient is most likely:
Correct Answer
Uncooperative
Question 14
A 52 yr old obese male in acute respiratory distress has just been admitted to the ED.
Physical examination reveals accessory ventilatory muscle use, neck vein distension,
and pedal edema. There is markedly diminished breath sounds and expiratory
wheezes throughout both lung fields. The patient is expectorating copious
mucopurulent sputum. The patients vital signs are: pulse 132/min, BP 196/112 mm
Hg; respirations 38/min, and temperature 100.1 deg F. ABG's drawn while the patient
was breathing room air are: ph:7.27, PaO2:54 mm Hg, PaCO2: 62 mm Hg, HCO3: 27.
Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis for this patient ?
Correct Answer
Chronic bronchitis exacerbated by an acute pulmonary infection
Question 15
The data shows for an intubated , Mechanically ventilated patient receiving an FiO2 of
0.90 - Cardiac output- 5.9 L/min
- Blood pressure- 132/86 mmHg
- Ph- 7.38
- PaCO2- 42 mm Hg
- HCO3- 24
- PaO2- 61 mm Hg
The data are suggestive for which of the following?
Correct Answer
Adult respiratory distress syndrome
Question 16
The second heart sound ( S2 ) is produced by?
Correct Answer
The sudden closing of the aortic and pulmonic valves
Page 4 of 38
