NRCME Test Questions and Answers
1. What minimum PaO2 level is necessary if the driver has an
ABG due to a chronic respiratory disorder?
a. 0mmH
g
b.55mmH
g
c.60mmH
g
d.65mmHg
Answer Correct answer is "D". To be qualified, the driver should meet a minimum arterial blood
gas (PaO2) greater than 65.
2. A driver first perceives a whispered voice at 5 feet in his right ear
and 4 feet in his left ear. All other aspects of his physical
examination are unremarkable. The examiner should
a. Permanently disqualify the driver because he "failed" the
whispered voice test.
b. Certify the driver for 2 years.
c. Certify the driver for 1 year.
d. Require an audiometric test to determine the extent of hearing
loss in his left ear.
Answer Correct answer is "B". The driver is qualified to drive without restriction as long as he is able to
,perceive a whispered voice at 5 feet in 1 ear.
3. A driver reports for an examination 6 weeks after suffering a mild
heart attack and presents a note from his cardiologist stating that
he is able to return to work immediately without restriction. Included
within the note, the cardiologist provides recent testing information
showing that the driver had an ETT that showed he was able to
reach 12 METS during the test. His echocardiogram showed an
ejection fraction of 65%. The examination of the driver is unremark-
able. The examiner should
a. Temporarily disqualify the driver.
b. Qualify the driver for 1 year.
c. Qualify the driver for 2 years.
d. Consult with the cardiologist to determine if the driver suffers from
angina.-
Answer Correct answer is "A". The driver has not completed the required 2-monthwaiting period, but all
other requirements for medical clearance and required testing have been met. The driver would be
certified for 1 year at the completion of the waiting period. The date of the certification would be from
the date of the original examination.
4. A driver provides an audiometric test documenting the following
Answer
1. 500 Hz; 2. 1000 HZ; 3. 2000 HZ; 4. 4000 Hz
,35 Right ear; 40 Left ear 40 Right ear; 45 Left ear 40 Right ear; 45
Left ear 50 Right ear; 50 Left ear
5.
The medical examiner should
a. Disqualify the driver because he does not meet minimum hearing
require- mentsto drive.
b. Certify the driver for 2years.
c. Certify the driver for 1 year.
d. Require the driver to obtain a hearing exemption.
Answer Correct answer is "B". The examiner would average the results from 500 Hz, 1000
Hz and 2000 Hz. This average is 38.33 in the Right and 43.33 in the Left ear. A driver must have an
average hearing loss of less than or equal to 40 in the better ear. This does not have to be met in
both ears.
5. During the examination of a commercial driver, the examiner notices
that the driver's peripheral vision is 70 degrees to the left and 80
degrees to the right. The examiner should
a. Qualify the driver for 2 years.
b. Require the driver to obtain a vision exemption because of the
limitation in the driver's
left peripheral field.
c. Disqualify the driver.
d. Have the driver consult with an Ophthalmologist to determine if the
, driver's peripheral vision meets minimum standards.
Answer Correct answer is "A". A driver must exhibit a minimum peripheral vision of 70
degrees bilaterally.
6. During examination, the medical examiner notices that the driver
is distant, lacks eye contact and shows absolutely no emotional
response during the exam. The examiner's best response should be
a. Provide the driver with a "CAGE" questionnaire to determine if
he suffers from
alcoholism.
b.
c. Certify the driver with a 1-time, 3-month certificate to
determine if there is any effect on the driver's ability to drive a
CMV.
d. Require a skill performance evaluation to ascertain if the driver
has any limitations with driving.
Answer Correct answer is "B". The driver exhibits what may be considered a "flat attect" which
is seen in schizophrenia and in severe depression. The driver should be evaluated by a mental health
expert to make a diagnosis prior to certification.
7. A driver admits to the use of marijuana for the treatment of his
glaucoma, which is legal in the State in which he lives. He provides
medical documentation for the glaucoma indicating he is able to
drive a truck. He began using the marijuana about three months
1. What minimum PaO2 level is necessary if the driver has an
ABG due to a chronic respiratory disorder?
a. 0mmH
g
b.55mmH
g
c.60mmH
g
d.65mmHg
Answer Correct answer is "D". To be qualified, the driver should meet a minimum arterial blood
gas (PaO2) greater than 65.
2. A driver first perceives a whispered voice at 5 feet in his right ear
and 4 feet in his left ear. All other aspects of his physical
examination are unremarkable. The examiner should
a. Permanently disqualify the driver because he "failed" the
whispered voice test.
b. Certify the driver for 2 years.
c. Certify the driver for 1 year.
d. Require an audiometric test to determine the extent of hearing
loss in his left ear.
Answer Correct answer is "B". The driver is qualified to drive without restriction as long as he is able to
,perceive a whispered voice at 5 feet in 1 ear.
3. A driver reports for an examination 6 weeks after suffering a mild
heart attack and presents a note from his cardiologist stating that
he is able to return to work immediately without restriction. Included
within the note, the cardiologist provides recent testing information
showing that the driver had an ETT that showed he was able to
reach 12 METS during the test. His echocardiogram showed an
ejection fraction of 65%. The examination of the driver is unremark-
able. The examiner should
a. Temporarily disqualify the driver.
b. Qualify the driver for 1 year.
c. Qualify the driver for 2 years.
d. Consult with the cardiologist to determine if the driver suffers from
angina.-
Answer Correct answer is "A". The driver has not completed the required 2-monthwaiting period, but all
other requirements for medical clearance and required testing have been met. The driver would be
certified for 1 year at the completion of the waiting period. The date of the certification would be from
the date of the original examination.
4. A driver provides an audiometric test documenting the following
Answer
1. 500 Hz; 2. 1000 HZ; 3. 2000 HZ; 4. 4000 Hz
,35 Right ear; 40 Left ear 40 Right ear; 45 Left ear 40 Right ear; 45
Left ear 50 Right ear; 50 Left ear
5.
The medical examiner should
a. Disqualify the driver because he does not meet minimum hearing
require- mentsto drive.
b. Certify the driver for 2years.
c. Certify the driver for 1 year.
d. Require the driver to obtain a hearing exemption.
Answer Correct answer is "B". The examiner would average the results from 500 Hz, 1000
Hz and 2000 Hz. This average is 38.33 in the Right and 43.33 in the Left ear. A driver must have an
average hearing loss of less than or equal to 40 in the better ear. This does not have to be met in
both ears.
5. During the examination of a commercial driver, the examiner notices
that the driver's peripheral vision is 70 degrees to the left and 80
degrees to the right. The examiner should
a. Qualify the driver for 2 years.
b. Require the driver to obtain a vision exemption because of the
limitation in the driver's
left peripheral field.
c. Disqualify the driver.
d. Have the driver consult with an Ophthalmologist to determine if the
, driver's peripheral vision meets minimum standards.
Answer Correct answer is "A". A driver must exhibit a minimum peripheral vision of 70
degrees bilaterally.
6. During examination, the medical examiner notices that the driver
is distant, lacks eye contact and shows absolutely no emotional
response during the exam. The examiner's best response should be
a. Provide the driver with a "CAGE" questionnaire to determine if
he suffers from
alcoholism.
b.
c. Certify the driver with a 1-time, 3-month certificate to
determine if there is any effect on the driver's ability to drive a
CMV.
d. Require a skill performance evaluation to ascertain if the driver
has any limitations with driving.
Answer Correct answer is "B". The driver exhibits what may be considered a "flat attect" which
is seen in schizophrenia and in severe depression. The driver should be evaluated by a mental health
expert to make a diagnosis prior to certification.
7. A driver admits to the use of marijuana for the treatment of his
glaucoma, which is legal in the State in which he lives. He provides
medical documentation for the glaucoma indicating he is able to
drive a truck. He began using the marijuana about three months
