Comprehensive Respiratory Therapy and TMC Exam
Preparation Guide QUESTIONS WITH WELL VERIFIED ANSWERS
Deflate the cuff and pull back on the ET tube 1-2 cm, then reassess breath sounds. -
answer☑️✔️..What should you do if breath sounds are absent on one side after intubation?
Auto-PEEP is caused by air trapping due to inadequate expiratory time. - answer☑️✔️..What is
Auto-PEEP?
Increase the expiratory time by decreasing the rate, decreasing the inspiratory time, or
decreasing the tidal volume. - answer☑️✔️..How can you correct Auto-PEEP?
A high CO2 level indicates hypoventilation. - answer☑️✔️..What indicates a patient is
hypoventilating based on ABG results?
Increase the respiratory rate to blow off CO2 and help normalize pH. - answer☑️✔️..What
should you do to set the respiratory rate for a patient on a ventilator?
Add mechanical deadspace to the circuit to allow the patient to rebreathe gas from their
anatomic deadspace. - answer☑️✔️..What is a strategy for treating a patient that is
hyperventilating?
Signs include hypoxemia, sudden deterioration of vital signs, decreased breath sounds, and
mediastinal shift. - answer☑️✔️..What are signs of a pneumothorax in a mechanically
ventilated patient?
Insert a chest tube immediately to relieve pressure. - answer☑️✔️..What should be done for a
tension pneumothorax?
,It may not require a chest tube insertion. - answer☑️✔️..What is the recommended action for
a small pneumothorax (< 10%)?
Studying the right topics can make the exam easier and increase the chances of passing. -
answer☑️✔️..What is the importance of studying the right topics for the TMC Exam?
To highlight important topics that are likely to appear on the TMC Exam. - answer☑️✔️..What
is the purpose of this cheat sheet?
Short expiratory time can lead to air trapping, resulting in Auto-PEEP. - answer☑️✔️..What is
the relationship between expiratory time and Auto-PEEP?
By decreasing the ventilator rate or inspiratory time. - answer☑️✔️..How can you increase a
patient's expiratory time?
They blow off too much CO2, which can lead to respiratory alkalosis. - answer☑️✔️..What
happens if a patient is hyperventilating?
It allows the patient to rebreathe exhaled gas, increasing PaCO2 levels. - answer☑️✔️..What is
the effect of adding mechanical deadspace?
Monitor the patient's PaCO2 levels to prevent them from becoming too high. -
answer☑️✔️..What should you monitor when adding mechanical deadspace?
It is a certification exam for respiratory therapists to validate their knowledge and skills. -
answer☑️✔️..What is the significance of the TMC Exam?
, Air in the pleural space can prevent normal lung expansion. - answer☑️✔️..What is a common
cause of decreased breath sounds in a pneumothorax?
It may indicate the presence of a pneumothorax. - answer☑️✔️..What does a hyperresonant
percussion note indicate?
Assess for possible complications like pneumothorax. - answer☑️✔️..What should be done if a
patient shows sudden increase in peak and plateau pressure?
The cuff helps to secure the tube in place and prevent air leaks. - answer☑️✔️..What is the
role of the cuff in ET tube placement?
To ensure the tube is properly positioned in the trachea. - answer☑️✔️..Why is it important to
reassess breath sounds after adjusting an ET tube?
It can contribute to inadequate expiratory time and air trapping. - answer☑️✔️..What is the
impact of patient-ventilator asynchrony on Auto-PEEP?
To improve CO2 elimination and restore normal pH levels. - answer☑️✔️..What is the goal of
increasing the respiratory rate in a hypoventilating patient?
Identify the signs and symptoms of pneumothorax. - answer☑️✔️..What is the first step in
treating a pneumothorax?
A small pneumothorax (< 10%) may not require a chest tube. - answer☑️✔️..What is the
recommended treatment for a small pneumothorax?
Preparation Guide QUESTIONS WITH WELL VERIFIED ANSWERS
Deflate the cuff and pull back on the ET tube 1-2 cm, then reassess breath sounds. -
answer☑️✔️..What should you do if breath sounds are absent on one side after intubation?
Auto-PEEP is caused by air trapping due to inadequate expiratory time. - answer☑️✔️..What is
Auto-PEEP?
Increase the expiratory time by decreasing the rate, decreasing the inspiratory time, or
decreasing the tidal volume. - answer☑️✔️..How can you correct Auto-PEEP?
A high CO2 level indicates hypoventilation. - answer☑️✔️..What indicates a patient is
hypoventilating based on ABG results?
Increase the respiratory rate to blow off CO2 and help normalize pH. - answer☑️✔️..What
should you do to set the respiratory rate for a patient on a ventilator?
Add mechanical deadspace to the circuit to allow the patient to rebreathe gas from their
anatomic deadspace. - answer☑️✔️..What is a strategy for treating a patient that is
hyperventilating?
Signs include hypoxemia, sudden deterioration of vital signs, decreased breath sounds, and
mediastinal shift. - answer☑️✔️..What are signs of a pneumothorax in a mechanically
ventilated patient?
Insert a chest tube immediately to relieve pressure. - answer☑️✔️..What should be done for a
tension pneumothorax?
,It may not require a chest tube insertion. - answer☑️✔️..What is the recommended action for
a small pneumothorax (< 10%)?
Studying the right topics can make the exam easier and increase the chances of passing. -
answer☑️✔️..What is the importance of studying the right topics for the TMC Exam?
To highlight important topics that are likely to appear on the TMC Exam. - answer☑️✔️..What
is the purpose of this cheat sheet?
Short expiratory time can lead to air trapping, resulting in Auto-PEEP. - answer☑️✔️..What is
the relationship between expiratory time and Auto-PEEP?
By decreasing the ventilator rate or inspiratory time. - answer☑️✔️..How can you increase a
patient's expiratory time?
They blow off too much CO2, which can lead to respiratory alkalosis. - answer☑️✔️..What
happens if a patient is hyperventilating?
It allows the patient to rebreathe exhaled gas, increasing PaCO2 levels. - answer☑️✔️..What is
the effect of adding mechanical deadspace?
Monitor the patient's PaCO2 levels to prevent them from becoming too high. -
answer☑️✔️..What should you monitor when adding mechanical deadspace?
It is a certification exam for respiratory therapists to validate their knowledge and skills. -
answer☑️✔️..What is the significance of the TMC Exam?
, Air in the pleural space can prevent normal lung expansion. - answer☑️✔️..What is a common
cause of decreased breath sounds in a pneumothorax?
It may indicate the presence of a pneumothorax. - answer☑️✔️..What does a hyperresonant
percussion note indicate?
Assess for possible complications like pneumothorax. - answer☑️✔️..What should be done if a
patient shows sudden increase in peak and plateau pressure?
The cuff helps to secure the tube in place and prevent air leaks. - answer☑️✔️..What is the
role of the cuff in ET tube placement?
To ensure the tube is properly positioned in the trachea. - answer☑️✔️..Why is it important to
reassess breath sounds after adjusting an ET tube?
It can contribute to inadequate expiratory time and air trapping. - answer☑️✔️..What is the
impact of patient-ventilator asynchrony on Auto-PEEP?
To improve CO2 elimination and restore normal pH levels. - answer☑️✔️..What is the goal of
increasing the respiratory rate in a hypoventilating patient?
Identify the signs and symptoms of pneumothorax. - answer☑️✔️..What is the first step in
treating a pneumothorax?
A small pneumothorax (< 10%) may not require a chest tube. - answer☑️✔️..What is the
recommended treatment for a small pneumothorax?
