TMC EXAM C, FORM M, LINDSEY
JONES G, TMC I WITH CORRECT
SOLUTIONS
a. manual dexterity - ANSWER-The respiratory therapist should evaluate which of the
following to develop a teaching plan for a patient who will be using a small volume
nebulizer at home?
a. manual dexterity
b. highest grade level achieved in school
c. spousal support
d. English speaking proficiency
d. bronchoscopy - ANSWER-Which of the following would be most beneficial in
resolving microatelectasis?
a. chest tubes
b. percutaneous ventilation
c. thoracentesis
d. bronchoscopy
b. oropharyngeal airway - ANSWER-A 45 year-old patient is recovering in the intensive
care unit after undergoing a surgical procedure to repair a hernia. The patient remains
unconscious. To prevent soft tissue obstruction, the respiratory therapist should
recommend a(n)
a. double-lumen endobronchial tube
b. oropharyngeal airway
c. bite block
d. nasopharyngeal airway
d. Run 2 only - ANSWER-Quality control material has published values for pH of 7.20,
PO2 of 65 mmHg. Documentation indicates the range of pH is 0.5% and is 3% for PO2.
Machine results are as follows:
Run 1: pH 7.19, PO2 64
Run 2: pH 7.10, PO2 69
Run 3: pH 7.21, PO2 65
Which quality control run(s) indicate the machine is out of control?
a. Run 1 and 2
b. Run 2 and 3
c. Run 3 only
d. Run 2 only
,a. ABG and alveolar oxygen tension - ANSWER-A respiratory therapist is considering a
patient's readiness to wean from mechanical ventilation. To determine the A-aDO2, the
therapist will need which of the following?
a. ABG and alveolar oxygen tension
b. VD/VT and PAO2
c. CaO2 and PAO2
d. VD/VT and ABG
c. heliox therapy - ANSWER-A patient with increased airway resistance from a fixed
upper airway obstruction would benefit most from which of the following?
a. bronchodilator therapy
b. epinephrine
c. heliox therapy
d. aerosolized atropine
d. inspiratory muscle strength - ANSWER-Evaluating MIP (maximum inspiratory
pressure) is most useful in evaluating which of the following?
a. presence of a restrictive pulmonary defect
b. effectiveness of cough
c. presence of obstructive pulmonary defect
d. inspiratory muscle strength
b. excess water in the tubing - ANSWER-An air-entrainment jet nebulizer is set at 50%.
The respiratory therapist analyzes the oxygen coming from the end of the tubing and
finds it is 60%. Which of the following most likely explains this finding?
a. poorly calibrate analyzer
b. excess water in the tubing
c. low flow through the jet orifice
d. leak in the tubing
b. pressure manometer - ANSWER-A respiratory therapist is asked to determine a
patient's inspiratory muscle strength. Which of the following equipment is required for
this evaluation?
a. Fleisch pneumotrachometer
b. pressure manometer
c. respirometer
d. peak flow meter
b. peak flow meter - ANSWER-A respiratory therapist is ordered to do a bedside
assessment of the effectiveness of a bronchodilator on a patient with an acute
asthmatic episode. Which of the following equipment will be needed to perform this
evaluation?
a. maximum inspiratory pressure manometer
b. peak flow meter
c. Collins water-seal spirometer
d. respirometer
,a. 25/8 mmHg - ANSWER-Which of the following pressures is most consistent with a
normal pulmonary artery pressure (PAP)?
a. 25/8 mmHg
b. 12/8 mmHg
c. 120/80 mmHg
d. 25/4 mmHg
d. change to an 80%/20% heliox mixture - ANSWER-A patient receiving heliox therapy
at 70%/30% mixture by non-rebreathing mask has the following arterial blood gas
results:
pH 7.35 / PaCO2 45 / PaO2 110 / HCO3 24 / BE 0
Which of the following actions is appropriate?
a. change to a heliox mixture of 60%/40%
b. discontinue heliox therapy
c. switch to a partial rebreathing mask
d. change to an 80%/20% heliox mixture
c. use an air-entrainment mask set at 28% - ANSWER-A COPD patient complains of
shortness of breath while exercising with a 2 L/min nasal cannula. During exercise,
SPO2 is noted to fall to 84%. Which of the following would be most helpful to the patient
during exercise?
a. decrease flow to 1 L/min nasal cannula
b. avoid exercising
c. use an air-entrainment mask set at 28%
d. use a non-rebreathing mask
a. place the patient on a non-rebreathing mask - ANSWER-A patient in the emergency
room is receiving oxygen by nasal cannula at 3 L/min. Blood gases reveal the following:
pH 7.53 / PaCO2 30 / PaO2 51 / HCO3 23 / BE -1
The respiratory therapist should immediately
a. place the patient on a non-rebreathing mask
b. decrease flow to 1 L/min
c. increase flow to 5 L/min
d. place the patient on a Venturi mask at 40%
a. examine the ventilator circuit for proper connections - ANSWER-During a
preoperational test of the ventilator with a test lung, the respiratory therapist notes a
return tidal volume of 600 cc. Ventilator settings are:
Mode: Assist/control
FiO2: 0.50
Mandatory rate: 10
VT: 750 mL
What action should the therapist take?
a. examine the ventilator circuit for proper connections
b. obtain a larger test lung
, c. increase the set tidal volume to 900 mL
d. obtain a smaller test lung
d. change the fuel cell - ANSWER-During the preoperational test of the ventilator, the
respiratory therapist notices the galvanic analyzer on the ventilator is reading
erroneously low. Which of the following can the respiratory therapist do to correct the
problem?
a. replace the analyzer batteries
b. replace the electrolyte solution in the analyzer
c. tag the ventilator as non-functional and avoid placing it in service
d. change the fuel cell
b. poor hand washing among staff - ANSWER-Which of the following is most likely to
increase nosocomial infection in a hospital?
a. use of an HME for 48 hours
b. poor hand washing among staff
c. frequent disconnection in the ventilator circuit
d. use of alcohol-based hand cleaners
b. disconnected thermistor line - ANSWER-While monitoring a patient receiving
mechanical ventilation, the respiratory therapist notices the low-pressure and low
exhaled volume alarms are sounding. Which of the following could be the cause?
a. kinked endotracheal tube
b. disconnected thermistor line
c. excess water in the inspiratory limb of the circuit
d. herniated endotracheal tube cuff
a. a fracture in the plastic wye - ANSWER-A patient receiving positive pressure
ventilation has a low-pressure alarm sounding. Which of the following could be the
cause?
a. a fracture in the plastic wye
b. herniated cuff
c. excess secretions in the airway
d. kinked ET tube
a. provide manual ventilation - ANSWER-The high pressure alarm is sounding on a
patient receiving volume controlled ventilation. The respiratory therapist should FIRST
a. provide manual ventilation
b. suction the patient
c. observe the alarm panel to determine source
d. cancel the alarm
d. Anectine (succinylcholine chloride) - ANSWER-Which of the following medications is
shown to have sufficient affect when facial muscle twitching is observed?
a. Halcion
b. Curare (d-turbo curare)
JONES G, TMC I WITH CORRECT
SOLUTIONS
a. manual dexterity - ANSWER-The respiratory therapist should evaluate which of the
following to develop a teaching plan for a patient who will be using a small volume
nebulizer at home?
a. manual dexterity
b. highest grade level achieved in school
c. spousal support
d. English speaking proficiency
d. bronchoscopy - ANSWER-Which of the following would be most beneficial in
resolving microatelectasis?
a. chest tubes
b. percutaneous ventilation
c. thoracentesis
d. bronchoscopy
b. oropharyngeal airway - ANSWER-A 45 year-old patient is recovering in the intensive
care unit after undergoing a surgical procedure to repair a hernia. The patient remains
unconscious. To prevent soft tissue obstruction, the respiratory therapist should
recommend a(n)
a. double-lumen endobronchial tube
b. oropharyngeal airway
c. bite block
d. nasopharyngeal airway
d. Run 2 only - ANSWER-Quality control material has published values for pH of 7.20,
PO2 of 65 mmHg. Documentation indicates the range of pH is 0.5% and is 3% for PO2.
Machine results are as follows:
Run 1: pH 7.19, PO2 64
Run 2: pH 7.10, PO2 69
Run 3: pH 7.21, PO2 65
Which quality control run(s) indicate the machine is out of control?
a. Run 1 and 2
b. Run 2 and 3
c. Run 3 only
d. Run 2 only
,a. ABG and alveolar oxygen tension - ANSWER-A respiratory therapist is considering a
patient's readiness to wean from mechanical ventilation. To determine the A-aDO2, the
therapist will need which of the following?
a. ABG and alveolar oxygen tension
b. VD/VT and PAO2
c. CaO2 and PAO2
d. VD/VT and ABG
c. heliox therapy - ANSWER-A patient with increased airway resistance from a fixed
upper airway obstruction would benefit most from which of the following?
a. bronchodilator therapy
b. epinephrine
c. heliox therapy
d. aerosolized atropine
d. inspiratory muscle strength - ANSWER-Evaluating MIP (maximum inspiratory
pressure) is most useful in evaluating which of the following?
a. presence of a restrictive pulmonary defect
b. effectiveness of cough
c. presence of obstructive pulmonary defect
d. inspiratory muscle strength
b. excess water in the tubing - ANSWER-An air-entrainment jet nebulizer is set at 50%.
The respiratory therapist analyzes the oxygen coming from the end of the tubing and
finds it is 60%. Which of the following most likely explains this finding?
a. poorly calibrate analyzer
b. excess water in the tubing
c. low flow through the jet orifice
d. leak in the tubing
b. pressure manometer - ANSWER-A respiratory therapist is asked to determine a
patient's inspiratory muscle strength. Which of the following equipment is required for
this evaluation?
a. Fleisch pneumotrachometer
b. pressure manometer
c. respirometer
d. peak flow meter
b. peak flow meter - ANSWER-A respiratory therapist is ordered to do a bedside
assessment of the effectiveness of a bronchodilator on a patient with an acute
asthmatic episode. Which of the following equipment will be needed to perform this
evaluation?
a. maximum inspiratory pressure manometer
b. peak flow meter
c. Collins water-seal spirometer
d. respirometer
,a. 25/8 mmHg - ANSWER-Which of the following pressures is most consistent with a
normal pulmonary artery pressure (PAP)?
a. 25/8 mmHg
b. 12/8 mmHg
c. 120/80 mmHg
d. 25/4 mmHg
d. change to an 80%/20% heliox mixture - ANSWER-A patient receiving heliox therapy
at 70%/30% mixture by non-rebreathing mask has the following arterial blood gas
results:
pH 7.35 / PaCO2 45 / PaO2 110 / HCO3 24 / BE 0
Which of the following actions is appropriate?
a. change to a heliox mixture of 60%/40%
b. discontinue heliox therapy
c. switch to a partial rebreathing mask
d. change to an 80%/20% heliox mixture
c. use an air-entrainment mask set at 28% - ANSWER-A COPD patient complains of
shortness of breath while exercising with a 2 L/min nasal cannula. During exercise,
SPO2 is noted to fall to 84%. Which of the following would be most helpful to the patient
during exercise?
a. decrease flow to 1 L/min nasal cannula
b. avoid exercising
c. use an air-entrainment mask set at 28%
d. use a non-rebreathing mask
a. place the patient on a non-rebreathing mask - ANSWER-A patient in the emergency
room is receiving oxygen by nasal cannula at 3 L/min. Blood gases reveal the following:
pH 7.53 / PaCO2 30 / PaO2 51 / HCO3 23 / BE -1
The respiratory therapist should immediately
a. place the patient on a non-rebreathing mask
b. decrease flow to 1 L/min
c. increase flow to 5 L/min
d. place the patient on a Venturi mask at 40%
a. examine the ventilator circuit for proper connections - ANSWER-During a
preoperational test of the ventilator with a test lung, the respiratory therapist notes a
return tidal volume of 600 cc. Ventilator settings are:
Mode: Assist/control
FiO2: 0.50
Mandatory rate: 10
VT: 750 mL
What action should the therapist take?
a. examine the ventilator circuit for proper connections
b. obtain a larger test lung
, c. increase the set tidal volume to 900 mL
d. obtain a smaller test lung
d. change the fuel cell - ANSWER-During the preoperational test of the ventilator, the
respiratory therapist notices the galvanic analyzer on the ventilator is reading
erroneously low. Which of the following can the respiratory therapist do to correct the
problem?
a. replace the analyzer batteries
b. replace the electrolyte solution in the analyzer
c. tag the ventilator as non-functional and avoid placing it in service
d. change the fuel cell
b. poor hand washing among staff - ANSWER-Which of the following is most likely to
increase nosocomial infection in a hospital?
a. use of an HME for 48 hours
b. poor hand washing among staff
c. frequent disconnection in the ventilator circuit
d. use of alcohol-based hand cleaners
b. disconnected thermistor line - ANSWER-While monitoring a patient receiving
mechanical ventilation, the respiratory therapist notices the low-pressure and low
exhaled volume alarms are sounding. Which of the following could be the cause?
a. kinked endotracheal tube
b. disconnected thermistor line
c. excess water in the inspiratory limb of the circuit
d. herniated endotracheal tube cuff
a. a fracture in the plastic wye - ANSWER-A patient receiving positive pressure
ventilation has a low-pressure alarm sounding. Which of the following could be the
cause?
a. a fracture in the plastic wye
b. herniated cuff
c. excess secretions in the airway
d. kinked ET tube
a. provide manual ventilation - ANSWER-The high pressure alarm is sounding on a
patient receiving volume controlled ventilation. The respiratory therapist should FIRST
a. provide manual ventilation
b. suction the patient
c. observe the alarm panel to determine source
d. cancel the alarm
d. Anectine (succinylcholine chloride) - ANSWER-Which of the following medications is
shown to have sufficient affect when facial muscle twitching is observed?
a. Halcion
b. Curare (d-turbo curare)
