A patient is receiving aerosolized bronchodilator treatments
with a small volume nebulizer. If the patient develops a
nosocomial infection of the trachea involving Escherichia Coli,
which of the following is the most likely cause?
A. Failure to change the tubing frequently.
B. Poor hand washing techniques by personnel.
C. Placing unsterile water in the nebulizer.
D. Contamination of disposable equipment.
2. Vesicular breath sounds indicate which of the following?
A. Normal lungs
B. Lung consolidation
C. Small airways obstruction
D. Acute bronchospasm
3. Which of the following would provide the most information
about a patient’s orientation to time and place?
I. The patient knows she is in a hospital.
II. The patient knows her diagnosis.
III. The patient recognizes her physician.
IV. The patient correctly states the year.
A. I and II only
B. I and IV only
C. I, II and III only
D. II, III and IV only
4. A dyspneic patient who is in the emergency department (ED) is
coughing up large amounts of frothy, pink sputum, and audible
, crackles are auscultated. Which of the following would be the
most appropriate treatment?
A. Performing repeated nasotracheal suctioning to clear the
airways.
B. Administering positive-pressure ventilation with air.
C. Administering an FiO2 of 0.35 by air-entrainment mask and
suctioning.
D. Administering mask CPAP with an FiO2 of 1.0
5. Before attaching an oxygen regulator to a cylinder, the
respiratory therapist can prevent foreign matter from entering
the regulator by manipulating the cylinder valve in that way?
A. Clean it with water and carefully dry.
B. Crack it open, then immediately close it.
C. Lightly grease it with a non-petroleum product.
D. Wipe it clean with a dry towel and visually inspect it.
6. If a massive gas leak occurs from the wall oxygen outlet when a
flowmeter is removed from the outlet, the first action would be
to:
A. Reinsert the flowmeter into the outlet.
B. Activate the fire alarm.
C. Evacuate the patients from the room.
D. Locate the zone valve and turn it off.
7. A Wright respirometer has been used in the intensive care unit
to monitor several patients. Cultures indicate that it is
contaminated. Which of the following is the most practical way
to prevent cross contamination?
A. Sterilize the respirometer after each use.
B. Replace the respirometer with a water-seal spirometer
C. Attach a one-way valve so that only expired gas passes
through the respirometer.
D. Place the respirometer in hydrogen peroxide between uses.
8. During a 15 second suctioning procedure, a patients pulse
decreases to 50/min and his blood pressure decreases from
, 120/80 to 80/50 mm Hg. Which of the following is the most
likely cause of these changes?
A. Abnormal ventilation/perfusion ratio
B. Transient hypoxemia
C. Sympathetic stimulation secondary to pain and trauma
D. Stimulation of vagal reflex
9. Which of the following is the most significant factor leading to
the development of tracheostenosis?
A. Cuff pressure on the tracheal wall
B. Trauma during intubation
C. Intracuff volume
D. Tube length
10. Compared with other types of humidifiers, what is a major
advantage of the wick humidifier?
A. Heating is not required.
B. Both molecular and particulate water are produced.
C. A 100% relative humidity is easily attainable.
D. A baffle is not needed to produce the desired humidity.
11. A patient with bacterial pneumonia has received chest
physiotherapy to all lung segments q.i.d. for 1 week. The
pneumonia has cleared in all segments, with the exception of
the left lower lobe. At this time, which of the following should
the respiratory therapist do?
A. Stop chest physiotherapy
B. Increase the frequency
C. Continue the present therapy regimen
D. Limit the therapy to the involved segments
12. When mouth to mouth resuscitation is being performed, it is
most important to watch the patient’s:
A. Eyes
B. Chest
C. Abdomen
D. Tongue position