NBRC PRACTICE TEST #2 QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
A post-op thoracotomy pt is receiving incentive spirometry therapy Q2H. Breath sounds
are diminished in the bases of the lungs with scattered crackles. the pt's inspiratory
capacity has decreased over the past 2 days. A chest X-ray indicates thin-layered
basilar densities. Which of the following has most likely occurred?
A. Atelectasis
B. Pneumonia
C. Pulmonary Edema
D. Consolidation - ANSWER-A. Atelectasis
The RT is in charge of transporting a pt with multiple trauma to a regional trauma center
in a fixed wing aircraft. Which of the following should the RT be most concerned about
during the transport?
A. Tissue oxygenation
B. Pneumothorax
C. Pulmonary embolus
D. Humidification of the inspired gas - ANSWER-Tissue oxygenation
Transcutaneous monitoring of PO2 values will correlate well with ABG PO2 values in
which of the following situations? (Pick all that apply)
A. Hypotension
B. Hypothermia
C. Pneumonia - ANSWER-Pneumonia only
What is the air-to-oxygen ratio for an air entrainment device delivering 60% oxygen? -
ANSWER-1:1
Following surgery to correct an abdominal aortic aneurysm, a 54 y/o female pt suddenly
develops intense substernal chest pain with severe dyspnea. the pain does not appear
to be aggravated by her respiratioins. Auscultation reveals bilateral, basilar, moist,
crepitant rales. The pt appears pale, cold and clammy. which of the following should the
RT recommend for initial assessment of this pt?
A. Serum electrolytes
B. Chest X-ray
C. Complete blood count
D. Elecrocardiograph - ANSWER-D. Electrocardiograph
, An adult pt is intubated with 7.0mm ID ETT. What size suction catheter should be used
to suction this pt? - ANSWER-10 Fr (7/2 x3)
A pt who is suspected of having a flail chest has been intubated and mechanically
ventilated with PEEP therapy. The pt has just received pancuronium bromide. Which of
the following ventilator alarms would be most important to set correctly for this pt?
A. Peak pressure alarm
B. Low PEEP pressure alarm
C. I:E ratio alarm
D. Low exhaled volume alarm - ANSWER-B. Low PEEP pressure alarm
A balloon-tipped, flow directed catheter is positioned in the pulmonary artery with the
balloon DEFLATED. Which of the following pressures will be measured by the DISTAL
lumen? - ANSWER-PAP
the RT receives an order to administer bronchodilator therapy with albuterol. To reduce
the chance of cross contamination, the RT should - ANSWER-Select a meter dose
inhaler
Which of the following is a FALSE statement about self-inflating resuscitation devices?
A. A reservoir is utilized to increase the delivered oxygen concentration
B. The RT can sense changes in the pt's lung compliance and airway resistance
C. A compressed gas source is necessary for the device to operate.
D. Excessive gas flow may cause the valve to malfunction. - ANSWER-A compressed
gas source is necessary for the device to operate
How are spontaneous sighs accounted for in mechanical ventilation? - ANSWER-
Because a spontaneously breathing individual typically sighs 6-8 times each hour to
prevent microatelectasis, some investigators once recommended that periodic machine
breaths that were 1.5-2 times the preset tidal volume be given 6-8 times per hour.
However, the peak pressure often needed to deliver such a volume was high enough to
predispose the patient to barotrauma. At present, accounting for sighs is not
recommended if the patient is receiving tidal volumes of 10-12 mL/kg or if the patient
requires PEEP. When a low tidal volume is used, sighs are preset at 1.5-2 times the
tidal volume and delivered 6-8 times an hour if the peak and plateau pressures are
within acceptable limits.
A patient has just been intubated with a naso- tracheal tube and is being manually
ventilated. As the therapist ventilates the patient, he notices that there is no chest
movement, minimal breath sounds and air escaping from the mouth as the bag is
squeezed. A chest x-ray has determined that the endotracheal tube is in the correct
position. What is the most likely cause of this situation? - ANSWER-The cuff ruptured
during intubation
AND ANSWERS
A post-op thoracotomy pt is receiving incentive spirometry therapy Q2H. Breath sounds
are diminished in the bases of the lungs with scattered crackles. the pt's inspiratory
capacity has decreased over the past 2 days. A chest X-ray indicates thin-layered
basilar densities. Which of the following has most likely occurred?
A. Atelectasis
B. Pneumonia
C. Pulmonary Edema
D. Consolidation - ANSWER-A. Atelectasis
The RT is in charge of transporting a pt with multiple trauma to a regional trauma center
in a fixed wing aircraft. Which of the following should the RT be most concerned about
during the transport?
A. Tissue oxygenation
B. Pneumothorax
C. Pulmonary embolus
D. Humidification of the inspired gas - ANSWER-Tissue oxygenation
Transcutaneous monitoring of PO2 values will correlate well with ABG PO2 values in
which of the following situations? (Pick all that apply)
A. Hypotension
B. Hypothermia
C. Pneumonia - ANSWER-Pneumonia only
What is the air-to-oxygen ratio for an air entrainment device delivering 60% oxygen? -
ANSWER-1:1
Following surgery to correct an abdominal aortic aneurysm, a 54 y/o female pt suddenly
develops intense substernal chest pain with severe dyspnea. the pain does not appear
to be aggravated by her respiratioins. Auscultation reveals bilateral, basilar, moist,
crepitant rales. The pt appears pale, cold and clammy. which of the following should the
RT recommend for initial assessment of this pt?
A. Serum electrolytes
B. Chest X-ray
C. Complete blood count
D. Elecrocardiograph - ANSWER-D. Electrocardiograph
, An adult pt is intubated with 7.0mm ID ETT. What size suction catheter should be used
to suction this pt? - ANSWER-10 Fr (7/2 x3)
A pt who is suspected of having a flail chest has been intubated and mechanically
ventilated with PEEP therapy. The pt has just received pancuronium bromide. Which of
the following ventilator alarms would be most important to set correctly for this pt?
A. Peak pressure alarm
B. Low PEEP pressure alarm
C. I:E ratio alarm
D. Low exhaled volume alarm - ANSWER-B. Low PEEP pressure alarm
A balloon-tipped, flow directed catheter is positioned in the pulmonary artery with the
balloon DEFLATED. Which of the following pressures will be measured by the DISTAL
lumen? - ANSWER-PAP
the RT receives an order to administer bronchodilator therapy with albuterol. To reduce
the chance of cross contamination, the RT should - ANSWER-Select a meter dose
inhaler
Which of the following is a FALSE statement about self-inflating resuscitation devices?
A. A reservoir is utilized to increase the delivered oxygen concentration
B. The RT can sense changes in the pt's lung compliance and airway resistance
C. A compressed gas source is necessary for the device to operate.
D. Excessive gas flow may cause the valve to malfunction. - ANSWER-A compressed
gas source is necessary for the device to operate
How are spontaneous sighs accounted for in mechanical ventilation? - ANSWER-
Because a spontaneously breathing individual typically sighs 6-8 times each hour to
prevent microatelectasis, some investigators once recommended that periodic machine
breaths that were 1.5-2 times the preset tidal volume be given 6-8 times per hour.
However, the peak pressure often needed to deliver such a volume was high enough to
predispose the patient to barotrauma. At present, accounting for sighs is not
recommended if the patient is receiving tidal volumes of 10-12 mL/kg or if the patient
requires PEEP. When a low tidal volume is used, sighs are preset at 1.5-2 times the
tidal volume and delivered 6-8 times an hour if the peak and plateau pressures are
within acceptable limits.
A patient has just been intubated with a naso- tracheal tube and is being manually
ventilated. As the therapist ventilates the patient, he notices that there is no chest
movement, minimal breath sounds and air escaping from the mouth as the bag is
squeezed. A chest x-ray has determined that the endotracheal tube is in the correct
position. What is the most likely cause of this situation? - ANSWER-The cuff ruptured
during intubation
