NBRC Practice Exam Questions & Answers
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with Explanations 2026\2027 update
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1. A respiratory therapist is assisting a physician with endotracheal intu-
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bation. Which of the following should be used initially to confirm tracheal int
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ubation?
A. cm marking of ETT
v v v
B. observable condensation in the tube v v v v
C. pulse oximetry v
D. colorimetric capnography: v
Answer
D. colorimetric capnography
v v
Explanation:
A. the cm mark of the ETT is an indicator of depth of insertion, but does not confirm plac
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ement in the trachea
v v v
B. condensation is often associated with intubation, but is not confirmation ofcorrect
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,placement.
C. pulse ox is an assessment of oxygenation and does not provide confirmation of trache
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al placement
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D. colorimetric capnography assesses the presence ofCO2 and provides confirma-
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tion of tracheal intubation due to detection of CO2
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2. A respiratory therapist is asked to review a newborn's history. The following info
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rmation is available about the first few minutes after birth:
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After 1 minute: appearance is acrocyanotic, heart rate is 70 b/m, reflexes include c
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ough, muscle tone is weak, and RR is 20 br/m.
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After 5 minutes: appearance is pink, heart rate is 11 0 b/m, reflexes include cough, m
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uscle tone shows active motion, and RR is 40 br/m
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Which of the following APGAR scores should the therapist expect to see for this
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infant?
A. 4 at 1 min, 8 at 5 mins
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B. 5 at 1 min, 8 at 5 mins
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C. 6 at 1 min, 10 at 5 mins
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D. 7 at 1 min, 10 at 5 mins:
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2v/v188
,Answer
C. 6 at 1 min, 10 at 5 mins
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Explanation:
APGAR = appearance (color), pulse (HR), grimace (reflex/irritability), activity (mus-
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cle tone), and respirations
v v v
According to the scoring chart, the score for 1 minute is acrocyanosis (1) + low HR
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(1) + cough (2) + weak activity (1), and low RR (1) = 6
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According to the scoring chart, the score for 5 minutes is pink (2), normal HR (2), cough (
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2), active motion (2), and normal RR (2) = 1 0
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3. A 58-year- v
old female was dx with bronchiectasis 3 years ago. She reports increased coug
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h and difficulty clearing secretions for the past 4 weeks. A CXR shows no signi
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ficant changes. Which of the following should the RT recommend FIRST?
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A. transtracheal aspiration v
B. airway clearance therapy v v
C. bronchodilator treatments v
D. respiratory isolation: v
3v/v188
, Answer
B. airway clearance therapy
v v v
Explanation:
A. while a sputum sample may be requested, transtracheal aspiration would be un
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necessarily invasive as the patient is able to produce a sputum sample on her own
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B the hx, clinical presentation, and CXR findings suggest worsening bronchiectasis. Th
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e tx of bronchiectasis includes techniques to loosen and mobilize viscid secre-
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tions. Postural drainage enhances sputum clearance.
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C. bronchodilator therapy alone will not aid in secretion removal
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D. there is no indication of this patient having a communicable disease. The dx of bronchi
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ectasis was established 3 years agov v v v v
4. A 24-year-old female is dx with exercise-
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induced asthma and albuterol prn is ordered. A RT should NEXT:
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A. refer the pt for allergy skin testing
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B. educate the pt on obtaining daily peak flow measurements
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C. instruct the pt to use albuterol 1 5 mins before exercising
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4v/v188
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with Explanations 2026\2027 update
v v v
1. A respiratory therapist is assisting a physician with endotracheal intu-
v v v v v v v v v v
bation. Which of the following should be used initially to confirm tracheal int
v v v v v v v v v v v v
ubation?
A. cm marking of ETT
v v v
B. observable condensation in the tube v v v v
C. pulse oximetry v
D. colorimetric capnography: v
Answer
D. colorimetric capnography
v v
Explanation:
A. the cm mark of the ETT is an indicator of depth of insertion, but does not confirm plac
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
ement in the trachea
v v v
B. condensation is often associated with intubation, but is not confirmation ofcorrect
v v v v v v v v v v v v
1v/v188
,placement.
C. pulse ox is an assessment of oxygenation and does not provide confirmation of trache
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
al placement
v
D. colorimetric capnography assesses the presence ofCO2 and provides confirma-
v v v v v v v v v v
tion of tracheal intubation due to detection of CO2
v v v v v v v v
2. A respiratory therapist is asked to review a newborn's history. The following info
v v v v v v v v v v v v
rmation is available about the first few minutes after birth:
v v v v v v v v v
After 1 minute: appearance is acrocyanotic, heart rate is 70 b/m, reflexes include c
v v v v v v v v v v v v v
ough, muscle tone is weak, and RR is 20 br/m.
v v v v v v v v v
After 5 minutes: appearance is pink, heart rate is 11 0 b/m, reflexes include cough, m
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
uscle tone shows active motion, and RR is 40 br/m
v v v v v v v v v
Which of the following APGAR scores should the therapist expect to see for this
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
infant?
A. 4 at 1 min, 8 at 5 mins
v v v v v v v v
B. 5 at 1 min, 8 at 5 mins
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C. 6 at 1 min, 10 at 5 mins
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D. 7 at 1 min, 10 at 5 mins:
v v v v v v v v v
2v/v188
,Answer
C. 6 at 1 min, 10 at 5 mins
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Explanation:
APGAR = appearance (color), pulse (HR), grimace (reflex/irritability), activity (mus-
v v v v v v v v v
cle tone), and respirations
v v v
According to the scoring chart, the score for 1 minute is acrocyanosis (1) + low HR
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(1) + cough (2) + weak activity (1), and low RR (1) = 6
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According to the scoring chart, the score for 5 minutes is pink (2), normal HR (2), cough (
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2), active motion (2), and normal RR (2) = 1 0
v v v v v v v v v v
3. A 58-year- v
old female was dx with bronchiectasis 3 years ago. She reports increased coug
v v v v v v v v v v v v
h and difficulty clearing secretions for the past 4 weeks. A CXR shows no signi
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
ficant changes. Which of the following should the RT recommend FIRST?
v v v v v v v v v v
A. transtracheal aspiration v
B. airway clearance therapy v v
C. bronchodilator treatments v
D. respiratory isolation: v
3v/v188
, Answer
B. airway clearance therapy
v v v
Explanation:
A. while a sputum sample may be requested, transtracheal aspiration would be un
v v v v v v v v v v v
necessarily invasive as the patient is able to produce a sputum sample on her own
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
B the hx, clinical presentation, and CXR findings suggest worsening bronchiectasis. Th
v v v v v v v v v v v
e tx of bronchiectasis includes techniques to loosen and mobilize viscid secre-
v v v v v v v v v v v
tions. Postural drainage enhances sputum clearance.
v v v v v
C. bronchodilator therapy alone will not aid in secretion removal
v v v v v v v v v
D. there is no indication of this patient having a communicable disease. The dx of bronchi
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
ectasis was established 3 years agov v v v v
4. A 24-year-old female is dx with exercise-
v v v v v v
induced asthma and albuterol prn is ordered. A RT should NEXT:
v v v v v v v v v v
A. refer the pt for allergy skin testing
v v v v v v
B. educate the pt on obtaining daily peak flow measurements
v v v v v v v v
C. instruct the pt to use albuterol 1 5 mins before exercising
v v v v v v v v v v
4v/v188
