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BASSET EXAM - SECURE COMPREHENSIVE THERAPIST
SAE EXAM WITH COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED SOLUTIONS ALL WITH RATIONALES LATEST
THIS YEAR
BASSET EXAM - SECURE COMPREHENSIVE THERAPIST SAE EXAM
Coverage Summary
This comprehensive review encompasses the full spectrum of respiratory care, focusing on
clinical decision-making, patient assessment, disease management, mechanical ventilation,
critical care, and pharmacological interventions. Key areas include patient evaluation,
therapeutic procedures, ventilator management, disease states, monitoring, diagnostics,
emergency care, and neonatal/pediatric considerations.
300 Randomized Multiple-Choice Questions
1. A 68-year-old male with a 50-pack-year smoking history presents with progressive dyspnea
and a chronic productive cough. His spirometry shows an FEV1/FVC ratio of 0.65. What is the
most likely diagnosis?
A) Asthma
B) Pulmonary fibrosis
C) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
D) Bronchiectasis
Answer: C
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A fixed ratio of FEV1/FVC < 0.70 indicates airflow obstruction, which with the smoking history
and chronic symptoms is classic for COPD.
2. A patient on mechanical ventilation develops a sudden drop in SpO2 to 82%, hypotension
with a blood pressure of 80/50 mmHg, and distended neck veins. What is the most likely
diagnosis?
A) Pulmonary embolism
B) Tension pneumothorax
C) Acute myocardial infarction
D) Bronchospasm
Answer: B
The classic triad of sudden hypoxia, hypotension, and elevated JVP indicates a tension
pneumothorax requiring immediate needle decompression.
3. A patient's arterial blood gas shows pH 7.28, PaCO2 55 mmHg, and HCO3- 24 mEq/L. What is
the primary acid-base disorder?
A) Metabolic acidosis
B) Metabolic alkalosis
C) Respiratory acidosis
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D) Respiratory alkalosis
Answer: C
The low pH with elevated PaCO2 indicates respiratory acidosis. Normal HCO3- suggests an acute
process with no renal compensation yet.
4. A patient with status asthmaticus is not responding to nebulized bronchodilators. What is the
most appropriate next therapy?
A) Heliox administration
B) IV corticosteroids
C) Continuous bronchodilator therapy
D) Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation
Answer: C
Continuous nebulization provides consistent medication delivery to severely bronchoconstricted
airways when intermittent treatments fail.
5. A mechanically ventilated patient has a peak inspiratory pressure increase from 28 to 42
cmH2O while plateau pressure remains at 20 cmH2O. What is the most likely cause?
A) Decreased lung compliance
B) Bronchospasm
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C) Pulmonary edema
D) Pneumothorax
Answer: B
Increased PIP without increased Pplat indicates elevated airway resistance, such as from
bronchospasm, secretions, or tube obstruction.
6. What is the target cuff pressure range for an endotracheal tube to prevent tracheal mucosal
ischemia?
A) 5-10 cmH2O
B) 10-15 cmH2O
C) 20-30 cmH2O
D) 35-45 cmH2O
Answer: C
Cuff pressures above 30 cmH2O compromise capillary blood flow to the tracheal mucosa, while
pressures below 20 cmH2O risk aspiration.
7. A patient with Guillain-Barré syndrome develops progressive weakness. What type of
respiratory failure is this patient at highest risk for?
A) Hypoxemic respiratory failure
BASSET EXAM - SECURE COMPREHENSIVE THERAPIST
SAE EXAM WITH COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED SOLUTIONS ALL WITH RATIONALES LATEST
THIS YEAR
BASSET EXAM - SECURE COMPREHENSIVE THERAPIST SAE EXAM
Coverage Summary
This comprehensive review encompasses the full spectrum of respiratory care, focusing on
clinical decision-making, patient assessment, disease management, mechanical ventilation,
critical care, and pharmacological interventions. Key areas include patient evaluation,
therapeutic procedures, ventilator management, disease states, monitoring, diagnostics,
emergency care, and neonatal/pediatric considerations.
300 Randomized Multiple-Choice Questions
1. A 68-year-old male with a 50-pack-year smoking history presents with progressive dyspnea
and a chronic productive cough. His spirometry shows an FEV1/FVC ratio of 0.65. What is the
most likely diagnosis?
A) Asthma
B) Pulmonary fibrosis
C) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
D) Bronchiectasis
Answer: C
, Page 2 of 136
A fixed ratio of FEV1/FVC < 0.70 indicates airflow obstruction, which with the smoking history
and chronic symptoms is classic for COPD.
2. A patient on mechanical ventilation develops a sudden drop in SpO2 to 82%, hypotension
with a blood pressure of 80/50 mmHg, and distended neck veins. What is the most likely
diagnosis?
A) Pulmonary embolism
B) Tension pneumothorax
C) Acute myocardial infarction
D) Bronchospasm
Answer: B
The classic triad of sudden hypoxia, hypotension, and elevated JVP indicates a tension
pneumothorax requiring immediate needle decompression.
3. A patient's arterial blood gas shows pH 7.28, PaCO2 55 mmHg, and HCO3- 24 mEq/L. What is
the primary acid-base disorder?
A) Metabolic acidosis
B) Metabolic alkalosis
C) Respiratory acidosis
, Page 3 of 136
D) Respiratory alkalosis
Answer: C
The low pH with elevated PaCO2 indicates respiratory acidosis. Normal HCO3- suggests an acute
process with no renal compensation yet.
4. A patient with status asthmaticus is not responding to nebulized bronchodilators. What is the
most appropriate next therapy?
A) Heliox administration
B) IV corticosteroids
C) Continuous bronchodilator therapy
D) Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation
Answer: C
Continuous nebulization provides consistent medication delivery to severely bronchoconstricted
airways when intermittent treatments fail.
5. A mechanically ventilated patient has a peak inspiratory pressure increase from 28 to 42
cmH2O while plateau pressure remains at 20 cmH2O. What is the most likely cause?
A) Decreased lung compliance
B) Bronchospasm
, Page 4 of 136
C) Pulmonary edema
D) Pneumothorax
Answer: B
Increased PIP without increased Pplat indicates elevated airway resistance, such as from
bronchospasm, secretions, or tube obstruction.
6. What is the target cuff pressure range for an endotracheal tube to prevent tracheal mucosal
ischemia?
A) 5-10 cmH2O
B) 10-15 cmH2O
C) 20-30 cmH2O
D) 35-45 cmH2O
Answer: C
Cuff pressures above 30 cmH2O compromise capillary blood flow to the tracheal mucosa, while
pressures below 20 cmH2O risk aspiration.
7. A patient with Guillain-Barré syndrome develops progressive weakness. What type of
respiratory failure is this patient at highest risk for?
A) Hypoxemic respiratory failure
