1|Page
SJVC RCP 100 Final Exam Study
Guide 2026 – Respiratory Care
Practice Questions and Answers
Prepare for the SJVC RCP 100 Final with this
comprehensive respiratory care study guide. Covers
patient assessment, ABGs, oxygen therapy, mechanical
ventilation, airway management, pharmacology, and
emergency care. Includes practice questions with
detailed answers for 2026/2027. Essential review for
respiratory therapy students. Topics: breath sounds,
hemodynamics, PPE, gas laws, and clinical scenarios. Ace
your final with targeted, exam-focused content.
1. Which of the following is the primary muscle of inspiration?
A. External intercostals
B. Diaphragm
C. Sternocleidomastoid
D. Abdominal rectus
B. Diaphragm
The diaphragm is responsible for approximately 60-70% of tidal volume during
quiet breathing. It descends during contraction, increasing vertical thoracic
dimension. The external intercostals assist but are not primary.
Sternocleidomastoid and abdominals are accessory muscles used in distress.
2. What is the normal resting respiratory rate for an adult?
A. 8-10 breaths/min
,2|Page
B. 12-20 breaths/min
C. 20-24 breaths/min
D. 24-30 breaths/min
B. 12-20 breaths/min
Normal adult respiratory rate is 12-20 breaths/min. Rates below 12 indicate
bradypnea; above 20 indicate tachypnea. This range reflects adequate alveolar
ventilation and gas exchange at rest.
3. A patient with a tracheal shift to the right likely has which condition?
A. Right-sided pneumothorax
B. Left-sided pneumothorax
C. Bilateral pleural effusion
D. Pulmonary fibrosis
B. Left-sided pneumothorax
Tracheal deviation occurs away from the affected side in tension pneumothorax
or massive pleural effusion. A left-sided pneumothorax pushes the trachea to
the right. Right-sided pneumothorax would shift trachea left. Fibrosis pulls
toward the affected side.
4. Which percussion note is heard over normal lung tissue?
A. Tympanic
B. Hyper-resonant
C. Resonant
D. Dull
C. Resonant
Resonant is the normal percussion note over healthy lung tissue. Tympanic is
heard over stomach gas. Hyper-resonant suggests hyperinflation (COPD,
pneumothorax). Dull indicates consolidation, effusion, or solid tissue.
5. What is the normal range for adult heart rate?
A. 40-60 bpm
B. 60-100 bpm
C. 100-120 bpm
D. 120-140 bpm
B. 60-100 bpm
,3|Page
Normal adult heart rate is 60-100 beats per minute. Below 60 is bradycardia;
above 100 is tachycardia. This range ensures adequate cardiac output and
tissue perfusion.
6. Which of the following best describes tidal volume?
A. Maximum volume exhaled after maximum inhalation
B. Volume inhaled or exhaled during normal quiet breathing
C. Volume remaining in lungs after maximal exhalation
D. Maximum volume inhaled after normal exhalation
B. Volume inhaled or exhaled during normal quiet breathing
Tidal volume (VT) is approximately 5-7 mL/kg or about 500 mL in adults. It
represents normal quiet breathing. Vital capacity is maximum exhaled after
max inhalation. Residual volume remains after max exhalation. Inspiratory
capacity is max inhaled after normal exhalation.
7. Which type of alveolar cell produces surfactant?
A. Type I pneumocytes
B. Type II pneumocytes
C. Alveolar macrophages
D. Goblet cells
B. Type II pneumocytes
Type II pneumocytes produce surfactant, which reduces surface tension and
prevents alveolar collapse. Type I pneumocytes are thin cells for gas exchange.
Macrophages engulf debris. Goblet cells produce mucus in airways.
8. What is the primary function of surfactant?
A. Increase surface tension
B. Reduce surface tension
C. Increase mucus production
D. Enhance ciliary movement
B. Reduce surface tension
Surfactant reduces alveolar surface tension, preventing collapse at end-
expiration and reducing work of breathing. Lack of surfactant causes atelectasis
and respiratory distress syndrome, especially in premature infants.
, 4|Page
9. Which gas law states that volume and temperature are directly proportional
at constant pressure?
A. Boyle's Law
B. Charles' Law
C. Gay-Lussac's Law
D. Dalton's Law
B. Charles' Law
Charles' Law: V1/T1 = V2/T2 at constant pressure. Boyle's Law relates pressure
and volume inversely. Gay-Lussac's Law relates pressure and temperature
directly. Dalton's Law deals with partial pressures of gases.
10. What is the normal pH range for arterial blood?
A. 7.20-7.30
B. 7.30-7.40
C. 7.35-7.45
D. 7.45-7.55
C. 7.35-7.45
Normal arterial pH is 7.35-7.45. Below 7.35 is acidemia; above 7.45 is
alkalemia. This narrow range is critical for enzyme function and cellular
metabolism.
11. Which of the following indicates respiratory acidosis?
A. pH 7.50, PaCO2 30 mmHg
B. pH 7.30, PaCO2 50 mmHg
C. pH 7.48, HCO3 30 mEq/L
D. pH 7.32, HCO3 18 mEq/L
B. pH 7.30, PaCO2 50 mmHg
Respiratory acidosis: pH < 7.35 with PaCO2 > 45 mmHg. Hypoventilation
causes CO2 retention. Option A is respiratory alkalosis. Option C is metabolic
alkalosis. Option D is metabolic acidosis.
SJVC RCP 100 Final Exam Study
Guide 2026 – Respiratory Care
Practice Questions and Answers
Prepare for the SJVC RCP 100 Final with this
comprehensive respiratory care study guide. Covers
patient assessment, ABGs, oxygen therapy, mechanical
ventilation, airway management, pharmacology, and
emergency care. Includes practice questions with
detailed answers for 2026/2027. Essential review for
respiratory therapy students. Topics: breath sounds,
hemodynamics, PPE, gas laws, and clinical scenarios. Ace
your final with targeted, exam-focused content.
1. Which of the following is the primary muscle of inspiration?
A. External intercostals
B. Diaphragm
C. Sternocleidomastoid
D. Abdominal rectus
B. Diaphragm
The diaphragm is responsible for approximately 60-70% of tidal volume during
quiet breathing. It descends during contraction, increasing vertical thoracic
dimension. The external intercostals assist but are not primary.
Sternocleidomastoid and abdominals are accessory muscles used in distress.
2. What is the normal resting respiratory rate for an adult?
A. 8-10 breaths/min
,2|Page
B. 12-20 breaths/min
C. 20-24 breaths/min
D. 24-30 breaths/min
B. 12-20 breaths/min
Normal adult respiratory rate is 12-20 breaths/min. Rates below 12 indicate
bradypnea; above 20 indicate tachypnea. This range reflects adequate alveolar
ventilation and gas exchange at rest.
3. A patient with a tracheal shift to the right likely has which condition?
A. Right-sided pneumothorax
B. Left-sided pneumothorax
C. Bilateral pleural effusion
D. Pulmonary fibrosis
B. Left-sided pneumothorax
Tracheal deviation occurs away from the affected side in tension pneumothorax
or massive pleural effusion. A left-sided pneumothorax pushes the trachea to
the right. Right-sided pneumothorax would shift trachea left. Fibrosis pulls
toward the affected side.
4. Which percussion note is heard over normal lung tissue?
A. Tympanic
B. Hyper-resonant
C. Resonant
D. Dull
C. Resonant
Resonant is the normal percussion note over healthy lung tissue. Tympanic is
heard over stomach gas. Hyper-resonant suggests hyperinflation (COPD,
pneumothorax). Dull indicates consolidation, effusion, or solid tissue.
5. What is the normal range for adult heart rate?
A. 40-60 bpm
B. 60-100 bpm
C. 100-120 bpm
D. 120-140 bpm
B. 60-100 bpm
,3|Page
Normal adult heart rate is 60-100 beats per minute. Below 60 is bradycardia;
above 100 is tachycardia. This range ensures adequate cardiac output and
tissue perfusion.
6. Which of the following best describes tidal volume?
A. Maximum volume exhaled after maximum inhalation
B. Volume inhaled or exhaled during normal quiet breathing
C. Volume remaining in lungs after maximal exhalation
D. Maximum volume inhaled after normal exhalation
B. Volume inhaled or exhaled during normal quiet breathing
Tidal volume (VT) is approximately 5-7 mL/kg or about 500 mL in adults. It
represents normal quiet breathing. Vital capacity is maximum exhaled after
max inhalation. Residual volume remains after max exhalation. Inspiratory
capacity is max inhaled after normal exhalation.
7. Which type of alveolar cell produces surfactant?
A. Type I pneumocytes
B. Type II pneumocytes
C. Alveolar macrophages
D. Goblet cells
B. Type II pneumocytes
Type II pneumocytes produce surfactant, which reduces surface tension and
prevents alveolar collapse. Type I pneumocytes are thin cells for gas exchange.
Macrophages engulf debris. Goblet cells produce mucus in airways.
8. What is the primary function of surfactant?
A. Increase surface tension
B. Reduce surface tension
C. Increase mucus production
D. Enhance ciliary movement
B. Reduce surface tension
Surfactant reduces alveolar surface tension, preventing collapse at end-
expiration and reducing work of breathing. Lack of surfactant causes atelectasis
and respiratory distress syndrome, especially in premature infants.
, 4|Page
9. Which gas law states that volume and temperature are directly proportional
at constant pressure?
A. Boyle's Law
B. Charles' Law
C. Gay-Lussac's Law
D. Dalton's Law
B. Charles' Law
Charles' Law: V1/T1 = V2/T2 at constant pressure. Boyle's Law relates pressure
and volume inversely. Gay-Lussac's Law relates pressure and temperature
directly. Dalton's Law deals with partial pressures of gases.
10. What is the normal pH range for arterial blood?
A. 7.20-7.30
B. 7.30-7.40
C. 7.35-7.45
D. 7.45-7.55
C. 7.35-7.45
Normal arterial pH is 7.35-7.45. Below 7.35 is acidemia; above 7.45 is
alkalemia. This narrow range is critical for enzyme function and cellular
metabolism.
11. Which of the following indicates respiratory acidosis?
A. pH 7.50, PaCO2 30 mmHg
B. pH 7.30, PaCO2 50 mmHg
C. pH 7.48, HCO3 30 mEq/L
D. pH 7.32, HCO3 18 mEq/L
B. pH 7.30, PaCO2 50 mmHg
Respiratory acidosis: pH < 7.35 with PaCO2 > 45 mmHg. Hypoventilation
causes CO2 retention. Option A is respiratory alkalosis. Option C is metabolic
alkalosis. Option D is metabolic acidosis.
