RRT Exam UPDATED ACTUAL QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS
What are the four critical life functions? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. ventilation
2.oxygenation
3. circulation
4. perfusion
Which of these life functions is the first priority? - CORRECT ANSWER getting
oxygen---> VENTILATION
What assessments would determine how well a patient is ventilating? - CORRECT
ANSWER Visual assessment
How would the therapist determine if a patient has a problem with oxygenation? - CORRECT
ANSWER 1. colour
2. sensorium
3. heart rate
What information would help the therapist determine if a patient's circulation is adequate? -
CORRECT ANSWER 1. pulse
2. heart rate
What changes would indicate that a patient may not have adequate perfusion? - CORRECT
ANSWER 1. B/P
2 sensorium
3. Temp
Explain the differnece between "signs" and "symptoms" and list an example of each. -
CORRECT ANSWER 1. Signs: Objective, what you see and measure.
2. Symptoms: Subjective, what patient says.
,List the 8 items that are important to examine when reviewing a patient's chart. - CORRECT
ANSWER 1. Adm Notes
2. Occupation
3. Smoking Hx
4. Allergies
5. Signs and symptoms
6. Prior surgery
7. Vital signs
8. Physical exam of chest
Define an advance directive - CORRECT ANSWER Notary sign document authorizing
someone to make decision of treatment.
List the three types of advance directives. - CORRECT ANSWER 1. DNI/DNR
2. Living will
3. Power of Attorney for Health Care
A properly written order for respiratory care should include what four factors? - CORRECT
ANSWER 1. Medication
2. Dose
3. Time (frequency)
4. Doctor signiture
The respiratory therapist has just finished administering an aerosol treatment with albuterol to
a child whit asthma. How should the treatment be charted? - CORRECT ANSWER 1.
Date
2. Time
3. Dosage
4. Vital sign before and after treatment
, What is the normal value for urine output? - CORRECT ANSWER 40 mL/hr
What findings might indicate that the patient's fluid intake has exceeded his urine output? -
CORRECT ANSWER 1. Weight gain
2. Electrolyte imbalance
3. Increase hemodynamic pressures
4. Decrease lung compliance
Changes in what reading can indicate hydrovolemia? - CORRECT ANSWER Increase
CVP >6mmHg
Patient interview/history: Define the following terms: - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Semi-
comatose: responds only to painful stimuli
2. Lethargy/somnolence: consider COPD O2 overdose or sleep apnea
3. Obtunded: drowsy state, may have decreased cough , gag reflex, aspiration risk.
When assessing a patient's orientation to time, place and person, what are some of the factors
that could affect the patient's ability to cooperate? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Language
difficulties
2. Influence of medications
3. Hearing loss
4. Fear, apprehension, depression, etc
Define Activities of Daily Living (ADL) - CORRECT ANSWER the basic tasks of
everyday life
List six criteria that Activities of Daily Living are based upon, - CORRECT
ANSWER 1. Bathing
2. Eating
3. Dressing
AND CORRECT ANSWERS
What are the four critical life functions? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. ventilation
2.oxygenation
3. circulation
4. perfusion
Which of these life functions is the first priority? - CORRECT ANSWER getting
oxygen---> VENTILATION
What assessments would determine how well a patient is ventilating? - CORRECT
ANSWER Visual assessment
How would the therapist determine if a patient has a problem with oxygenation? - CORRECT
ANSWER 1. colour
2. sensorium
3. heart rate
What information would help the therapist determine if a patient's circulation is adequate? -
CORRECT ANSWER 1. pulse
2. heart rate
What changes would indicate that a patient may not have adequate perfusion? - CORRECT
ANSWER 1. B/P
2 sensorium
3. Temp
Explain the differnece between "signs" and "symptoms" and list an example of each. -
CORRECT ANSWER 1. Signs: Objective, what you see and measure.
2. Symptoms: Subjective, what patient says.
,List the 8 items that are important to examine when reviewing a patient's chart. - CORRECT
ANSWER 1. Adm Notes
2. Occupation
3. Smoking Hx
4. Allergies
5. Signs and symptoms
6. Prior surgery
7. Vital signs
8. Physical exam of chest
Define an advance directive - CORRECT ANSWER Notary sign document authorizing
someone to make decision of treatment.
List the three types of advance directives. - CORRECT ANSWER 1. DNI/DNR
2. Living will
3. Power of Attorney for Health Care
A properly written order for respiratory care should include what four factors? - CORRECT
ANSWER 1. Medication
2. Dose
3. Time (frequency)
4. Doctor signiture
The respiratory therapist has just finished administering an aerosol treatment with albuterol to
a child whit asthma. How should the treatment be charted? - CORRECT ANSWER 1.
Date
2. Time
3. Dosage
4. Vital sign before and after treatment
, What is the normal value for urine output? - CORRECT ANSWER 40 mL/hr
What findings might indicate that the patient's fluid intake has exceeded his urine output? -
CORRECT ANSWER 1. Weight gain
2. Electrolyte imbalance
3. Increase hemodynamic pressures
4. Decrease lung compliance
Changes in what reading can indicate hydrovolemia? - CORRECT ANSWER Increase
CVP >6mmHg
Patient interview/history: Define the following terms: - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Semi-
comatose: responds only to painful stimuli
2. Lethargy/somnolence: consider COPD O2 overdose or sleep apnea
3. Obtunded: drowsy state, may have decreased cough , gag reflex, aspiration risk.
When assessing a patient's orientation to time, place and person, what are some of the factors
that could affect the patient's ability to cooperate? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Language
difficulties
2. Influence of medications
3. Hearing loss
4. Fear, apprehension, depression, etc
Define Activities of Daily Living (ADL) - CORRECT ANSWER the basic tasks of
everyday life
List six criteria that Activities of Daily Living are based upon, - CORRECT
ANSWER 1. Bathing
2. Eating
3. Dressing
