TMC Exam A (Respiratory) 2025 – Latest Updated 160 Complete
Questions and Answers (100% Verified, Graded A+)
This document provides all 160 questions and correct answers from the most up-to-date 2025 TMC
Exam A for respiratory therapy, fully verified and graded A+. It covers essential NBRC exam content
areas including patient data evaluation, oxygen and aerosol therapy, mechanical ventilation, airway
care, diagnostics, and pharmacologic interventions. Each answer is confirmed for accuracy, making this
a trusted and comprehensive study tool. Ideal for candidates aiming for top performance on the TMC
exam, this resource ensures targeted preparation and confidence on test day.
1. A 48 year-old female is admitted to the ED with diaphoresis, jugular
venous distension, and 3+ pitting edema in the ankles. These findings are
consistent with: heart failure
2. A patient is admitted to the ED following a motor vehicle accident. On
physical exam, the respiratory therapist discovers that breath sounds are
absent in the left chest with a hyperresonant percussion note. The trachea is
shifted to the right. The patient's heart rate is 45/min, respiratory rate is
30/min, and blood pressure is 60/40 mm Hg. What action should the therapist
recommend first?: Needle aspirate the 2nd left intercostal space
,3. All of the following strategies are likely to decrease the likelihood of
damage to the tracheal mucosa EXCEPT: using a low residual volume, low
compliance cuff
4. A 52 year-old post-operative cholecystectomy patient's breath sounds
become more coarse upon completion of postural drainage with percussion.
The respiratory therapist should recommend: deep breathing & coughing to
clear secretions
5. A 65 kg spinal cord injured patient develops atelectasis. His inspiratory
capacity is 30% of his predicted value. What bronchial hygiene therapy would
be most appropriate initially?: IPPB
6. A healthy adult female can exhale what portion of her forced vital
capacity in the first second?: 70%
7. A patient on VC ventilation demonstrates auto-PEEP on ventilator
graphics. Which of the following controls, when adjusted independently,
would increase expiratory time? 1. Tidal volume
2. respiratory rate
3. inspiratory flow
4. sensitivity: 1, 2, and 3 only
8. Which of the following would be the most appropriate therapy for a
dyspneic patient who has crepitus with tracheal deviation to the left and
absent breath sounds on the right?: insert a chest tube
9. Following cardiac surgery, a 55 year-old patient has the following ABG
results: pH 7.50, PaCO2 30 torr, PaO2 62 torr, HCO3 25 mEq/L, SaO2 92%,
HB 14 g/dL, BE +2. Venous blood gas results are pH 7.39, PvCO2 43 torr,
PvO2 37 torr, and SvO2 66%. Calculate the patient's C(a-v)O2.: 5.0 vol %
10. A patient on VC, SIMV with a VT of 500 mL has a PIP of 25 cm H2O,
Pplat of 15 cm H2O and PEEP of 5 cm H2O. What is the patient's static lung
compliance?: 50 mL/cm H2O
, 11. Immediately after extubation of a patient in the ICU, the respiratory
therapist observes increasing respiratory distress with intercostal
retractions and marked stridor. The SpO2 on 40% oxygen is noted to be
76%. Which of the following would be most appropriate at this time?:
Reintubation
12. Which of the following patients would most likely benefit from pressure
support ventilation?: A patient on SIMV with a mandatory rate of 12/min and
total rate of 24/min.
13. A patient receiving mechanical ventilation has developed a temperature
of 99.9° F with purulent secretions over the last 12 hours. The respiratory
therapist has also noted a steady increase in peak inspiratory pressure.
What initial recommendation should be made to address these changes?:
obtain a sputum gram stain
14. Which of the following information may be obtained from a FVC maneuver
during bedside pulmonary function testing?
1. FEV1
2. PEFR
3. FRC
4. RV: 1 & 2 only
15. The respiratory therapist provides education for a patient who is being
discharged home on aerosol therapy. The most important reason for the
patient to follow the recommended cleaning procedures using a
vinegar/water solution is that this solution will: retard bacterial growth
16. A patient who complains of dyspnea is noted to have a dry, non-
productive cough. On physical examination, breath sounds are diminished
on the right, tactile fremitus is decreased and there is dullness to percussion
over the right lower lobe. The respiratory therapist should suspect that the
patient is suffering from: pleural effusion
Questions and Answers (100% Verified, Graded A+)
This document provides all 160 questions and correct answers from the most up-to-date 2025 TMC
Exam A for respiratory therapy, fully verified and graded A+. It covers essential NBRC exam content
areas including patient data evaluation, oxygen and aerosol therapy, mechanical ventilation, airway
care, diagnostics, and pharmacologic interventions. Each answer is confirmed for accuracy, making this
a trusted and comprehensive study tool. Ideal for candidates aiming for top performance on the TMC
exam, this resource ensures targeted preparation and confidence on test day.
1. A 48 year-old female is admitted to the ED with diaphoresis, jugular
venous distension, and 3+ pitting edema in the ankles. These findings are
consistent with: heart failure
2. A patient is admitted to the ED following a motor vehicle accident. On
physical exam, the respiratory therapist discovers that breath sounds are
absent in the left chest with a hyperresonant percussion note. The trachea is
shifted to the right. The patient's heart rate is 45/min, respiratory rate is
30/min, and blood pressure is 60/40 mm Hg. What action should the therapist
recommend first?: Needle aspirate the 2nd left intercostal space
,3. All of the following strategies are likely to decrease the likelihood of
damage to the tracheal mucosa EXCEPT: using a low residual volume, low
compliance cuff
4. A 52 year-old post-operative cholecystectomy patient's breath sounds
become more coarse upon completion of postural drainage with percussion.
The respiratory therapist should recommend: deep breathing & coughing to
clear secretions
5. A 65 kg spinal cord injured patient develops atelectasis. His inspiratory
capacity is 30% of his predicted value. What bronchial hygiene therapy would
be most appropriate initially?: IPPB
6. A healthy adult female can exhale what portion of her forced vital
capacity in the first second?: 70%
7. A patient on VC ventilation demonstrates auto-PEEP on ventilator
graphics. Which of the following controls, when adjusted independently,
would increase expiratory time? 1. Tidal volume
2. respiratory rate
3. inspiratory flow
4. sensitivity: 1, 2, and 3 only
8. Which of the following would be the most appropriate therapy for a
dyspneic patient who has crepitus with tracheal deviation to the left and
absent breath sounds on the right?: insert a chest tube
9. Following cardiac surgery, a 55 year-old patient has the following ABG
results: pH 7.50, PaCO2 30 torr, PaO2 62 torr, HCO3 25 mEq/L, SaO2 92%,
HB 14 g/dL, BE +2. Venous blood gas results are pH 7.39, PvCO2 43 torr,
PvO2 37 torr, and SvO2 66%. Calculate the patient's C(a-v)O2.: 5.0 vol %
10. A patient on VC, SIMV with a VT of 500 mL has a PIP of 25 cm H2O,
Pplat of 15 cm H2O and PEEP of 5 cm H2O. What is the patient's static lung
compliance?: 50 mL/cm H2O
, 11. Immediately after extubation of a patient in the ICU, the respiratory
therapist observes increasing respiratory distress with intercostal
retractions and marked stridor. The SpO2 on 40% oxygen is noted to be
76%. Which of the following would be most appropriate at this time?:
Reintubation
12. Which of the following patients would most likely benefit from pressure
support ventilation?: A patient on SIMV with a mandatory rate of 12/min and
total rate of 24/min.
13. A patient receiving mechanical ventilation has developed a temperature
of 99.9° F with purulent secretions over the last 12 hours. The respiratory
therapist has also noted a steady increase in peak inspiratory pressure.
What initial recommendation should be made to address these changes?:
obtain a sputum gram stain
14. Which of the following information may be obtained from a FVC maneuver
during bedside pulmonary function testing?
1. FEV1
2. PEFR
3. FRC
4. RV: 1 & 2 only
15. The respiratory therapist provides education for a patient who is being
discharged home on aerosol therapy. The most important reason for the
patient to follow the recommended cleaning procedures using a
vinegar/water solution is that this solution will: retard bacterial growth
16. A patient who complains of dyspnea is noted to have a dry, non-
productive cough. On physical examination, breath sounds are diminished
on the right, tactile fremitus is decreased and there is dullness to percussion
over the right lower lobe. The respiratory therapist should suspect that the
patient is suffering from: pleural effusion
