Respiratory Therapy - Lindsey Jones/Clinical Simulations
Exam Latest 2026-2027 Questions and Correct Answers
Already Graded A+
Information Gathering : Thoracic Surgery
(Defined: Can have a variety of complications from thoracic surgery.) - CORRECT
ANSWER-LEVEL II : Always monitoring chest tube drainage adequacy
Looking for potential complications: Hypovolemic shock, low hemodynamic values
including blood pressure, Subcutaneous emphysema, Elevated ventilatory
pressures
LEVEL III : Chest x-ray—to confirm proper re-inflation of the lung and proper
placement of chest tubes
Decision Making : Thoracic Surgery
Information Gathering - Emphysema:
(Abnormal condition of the alveoli resulting destruction and loss of elasticity.) -
CORRECT ANSWER-LEVEL I : Cyanosis, Barrel chest, increased A-P diameter,
,Accessory muscle use, Digital clubbing of the nail beds, Significant history of
smoking and/or occupational exposure to smoke or other pulmonary irritant
LEVEL II : Dyspnea, Wheezing breath sounds
LEVEL III : Chest X-ray—flattened diaphragms, hyperlucency, diminished
pulmonary vascular markings.
CBC—polycythemia, increased WBC due to possible infection.
ABGs—Compensated respiratory acidosis (high PaCO2, normal pH), moderate to
severe hypoxemia.
Sputum culture—often positive for bacteria.
LEVEL IV : FT—flows are decreased especially middle sized airways (FEF 25-75%)
Fev1 and Fev1/FVC%, reduced DLCO (less than 20).
Descision Making - Empysema:
(Abnormal condition of the alveoli resulting destruction and loss of elasticity.) -
CORRECT ANSWER-Oxygen therapy—low FIO2 (0.24 to 0.28) or 1 to 2 lpm
nasal cannula
Oxygen conserving devices such as liquid oxygen or trans-tracheal oxygen
Home care education on devices and equipment cleaning
Rehabilitation efforts (specifics not usually required)
Aids to help quit smoking such as nicotine replacement therapy
,Bronchodilation medication via MDI or aerosol nebulizers
Antibiotics for infection
Smoking cessation products (nicotine replacement therapy).
Information Gathering - Chronic Bronchitis
(Defined: Condition where the patient has a productive cough 25% of the year for
at least two consecutive years.) - CORRECT ANSWER-LEVEL I : Productive
cough, purulent sputum production
Exposure to pulmonary irritants, like history of smoking
Frequent infections
LEVEL II : Dyspnea
LEVEL III : Chest X-ray—could be normal, or may show hyperlucency, diminished,
pulmonary markings.
CBC—possibly increased WBC due to possible infection.
ABGs—could be normal or very slight respiratory acidosis and hypoxemia
LEVEL IV : PFT—flows are decreased especially middle sized airways (FEF 25-75%)
FEV1, Normal DLCO
Decision Making - Chronic Bronchitis
, (Defined: Condition where the patient has a productive cough 25% of the year for
at least two consecutive years.) - CORRECT ANSWER-Anything that promotes
good pulmonary hygiene such as chest physiotherapy, hydration therapy when
sputum is thick.
Fluid therapy if dehydrated.Oxygen therapy for hypoxemia
Aerosolized bronchodilator therapy, Antibiotic Tetracycline may be preferable
Information Gathering - Bronchiectasis
(Defined: Abnormal condition where the bronchi
secrete large volumes of pus during abnormal
dilation.) - CORRECT ANSWER-LEVEL I : Productive cough, often with blood,
digital clubbing of the nail beds, significant history if infections (recurrent)
LEVEL II : Dyspnea
LEVEL III : Chest X-ray—generally normal
Sputum culture—gram negative bacteria
LEVEL IV : Bronchogram is the primary test. Characterized by a "tree in winter
pattern"
Exam Latest 2026-2027 Questions and Correct Answers
Already Graded A+
Information Gathering : Thoracic Surgery
(Defined: Can have a variety of complications from thoracic surgery.) - CORRECT
ANSWER-LEVEL II : Always monitoring chest tube drainage adequacy
Looking for potential complications: Hypovolemic shock, low hemodynamic values
including blood pressure, Subcutaneous emphysema, Elevated ventilatory
pressures
LEVEL III : Chest x-ray—to confirm proper re-inflation of the lung and proper
placement of chest tubes
Decision Making : Thoracic Surgery
Information Gathering - Emphysema:
(Abnormal condition of the alveoli resulting destruction and loss of elasticity.) -
CORRECT ANSWER-LEVEL I : Cyanosis, Barrel chest, increased A-P diameter,
,Accessory muscle use, Digital clubbing of the nail beds, Significant history of
smoking and/or occupational exposure to smoke or other pulmonary irritant
LEVEL II : Dyspnea, Wheezing breath sounds
LEVEL III : Chest X-ray—flattened diaphragms, hyperlucency, diminished
pulmonary vascular markings.
CBC—polycythemia, increased WBC due to possible infection.
ABGs—Compensated respiratory acidosis (high PaCO2, normal pH), moderate to
severe hypoxemia.
Sputum culture—often positive for bacteria.
LEVEL IV : FT—flows are decreased especially middle sized airways (FEF 25-75%)
Fev1 and Fev1/FVC%, reduced DLCO (less than 20).
Descision Making - Empysema:
(Abnormal condition of the alveoli resulting destruction and loss of elasticity.) -
CORRECT ANSWER-Oxygen therapy—low FIO2 (0.24 to 0.28) or 1 to 2 lpm
nasal cannula
Oxygen conserving devices such as liquid oxygen or trans-tracheal oxygen
Home care education on devices and equipment cleaning
Rehabilitation efforts (specifics not usually required)
Aids to help quit smoking such as nicotine replacement therapy
,Bronchodilation medication via MDI or aerosol nebulizers
Antibiotics for infection
Smoking cessation products (nicotine replacement therapy).
Information Gathering - Chronic Bronchitis
(Defined: Condition where the patient has a productive cough 25% of the year for
at least two consecutive years.) - CORRECT ANSWER-LEVEL I : Productive
cough, purulent sputum production
Exposure to pulmonary irritants, like history of smoking
Frequent infections
LEVEL II : Dyspnea
LEVEL III : Chest X-ray—could be normal, or may show hyperlucency, diminished,
pulmonary markings.
CBC—possibly increased WBC due to possible infection.
ABGs—could be normal or very slight respiratory acidosis and hypoxemia
LEVEL IV : PFT—flows are decreased especially middle sized airways (FEF 25-75%)
FEV1, Normal DLCO
Decision Making - Chronic Bronchitis
, (Defined: Condition where the patient has a productive cough 25% of the year for
at least two consecutive years.) - CORRECT ANSWER-Anything that promotes
good pulmonary hygiene such as chest physiotherapy, hydration therapy when
sputum is thick.
Fluid therapy if dehydrated.Oxygen therapy for hypoxemia
Aerosolized bronchodilator therapy, Antibiotic Tetracycline may be preferable
Information Gathering - Bronchiectasis
(Defined: Abnormal condition where the bronchi
secrete large volumes of pus during abnormal
dilation.) - CORRECT ANSWER-LEVEL I : Productive cough, often with blood,
digital clubbing of the nail beds, significant history if infections (recurrent)
LEVEL II : Dyspnea
LEVEL III : Chest X-ray—generally normal
Sputum culture—gram negative bacteria
LEVEL IV : Bronchogram is the primary test. Characterized by a "tree in winter
pattern"
