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Secure Comprehensive Therapist Multiple-Choice SAE
(Form 2020)
TMC EXAM
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 A. liver failure. B. pulmonary embolism. C. heart failure. D. electrolyte imbalances. - Answer C. heart failure. 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? A. Call for a STAT chest x-ray. B. Insert a chest tube into the left chest. C. Needle aspirate the 2nd left intercostal space. D. Activate the medical emergency team to intubate the patient. - Answer C. Needle aspirate the 2nd left intercostal space. All of the following strategies are likely to decrease the likelihood of damage to the tracheal mucosa EXCEPT A. maintaining cuff pressures between 20 and 25 mm Hg. B. using the minimal leak technique for inflation. C. using a low-residual-volume, low-compliance cuff. D. monitoring intracuff pressures. - Answer C. using a low-residual-volume, low- compliance cuff. 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 A. continuing the therapy until breath sounds improve. B. administering dornase alpha. C. administering albuterol therapy. D. deep breathing and coughing to clear secretions. - Answer D. deep breathing and coughing to clear secretions.
A 65 kg spinal cord injured patient has developed atelectasis. His inspiratory capacity is 30% of his predicted value. What bronchial hygiene therapy would be most appropriate initially? A. IS / SMI B. IPPB with normal saline C. postural drainage and percussion D. PEP therapy - Answer B. IPPB with normal saline A healthy adult female can exhale what portion of her forced vital capacity in the first second? A. 50% B. 60% C. 70% D. 80% - Answer C. 70% A patient on VC ventilation has demonstrated auto-PEEP on ventilator graphics. Which of the following controls, when adjusted independently, would increase expiratory time?
- Tidal volume
- Respiratory Rate
- Inspiratory flow
- Sensitivity A. 1, 2, and 3 only B. 1, 2, and 4 only C. 1, 3, and 4 only D. 2, 3, and 4 only - Answer A. 1, 2, and 3 only 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? A. Perform chest physiotherapy B. Administer an IPPB treatment C. Insert an endotracheal tube D. Insert a chest tube - Answer D. Insert a chest tube A 55 year-old post cardiac surgery 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. A. 2.5 vol% B. 4.0 vol% C. 5.0 vol%
A. 1 and 2 only B. 1 and 3 only C. 2 and 4 only D. 3 and 4 only - Answer A. 1 and 2 only The respiratory therapist is providing patient 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 A. sterilize the equipment. B. retard bacterial growth. C. kill all micro-organisms and spores. D. extend the equipment life. - Answer B. retard bacterial growth. 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 A. pneumonia. B. pulmonary embolism. C. pleural effusion. D. bronchiolitis. - Answer C. pleural effusion. Which of the following suction catheters would be appropriate to use for a patient with a size 8.0 mm ID endotracheal tube? A. 8 Fr B. 10 Fr C. 12 Fr D. 14 Fr - Answer C. 12 Fr A patient who is receiving continuous mechanical ventilation is fighting the ventilator. His breath sounds are markedly diminished on the left, there is dullness to percussion on the left, and the trachea is shifted to the left. The most likely explanation for the problem is that A. the patient is disconnected from the ventilator. B. the patient is experiencing diffuse bronchospasm. C. the endotracheal tube has slipped into the right main stem bronchus. D. the patient has developed a left tension pneumothorax. - Answer C. the endotracheal tube has slipped into the right main stem bronchus. The respiratory therapist notes a developing hematoma after an arterial blood gas was drawn from the right radial artery. The immediate response is to
A. notify the charge nurse. B. apply a pressure dressing. C. apply pressure to the site. D. perform a modified Allen's test. - Answer C. apply pressure to the site. A patient's breathing pattern irregularly increases and decreases and is interspersed with periods of apnea up to 1 minute. Which of the following conditions is the most likely cause of this problem? A. Diabetes insipidus B. Renal failure C. Metabolic acidosis D. Elevated intracranial pressure - Answer D. Elevated intracranial pressure What value for the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) is consistent with mild obstructive sleep apnea? A. Less than 5 B. 5 to 15 C. 16 to 3 0 D. Greater than 30 - Answer B. 5 to 15 While monitoring a newborn utilizing a transcutaneous monitor, you notice a change in PtcO2 from 60 to 142 torr and simultaneously the (PtcCO2) changes from 37 to 2 torr. What is the most likely explanation for these changes? A. Upper airway obstruction B. Poor peripheral perfusion C. Air leak around the sensor D. Device is out of range - Answer C. Air leak around the sensor A patient on the general medical ward is on a 28% air entrainment mask with the flowmeter set at 5 L/min. What is the total flow delivered to the patient? A. 5 L/min B. 55 L/min C. 88 L/min D. 140 L/min - Answer B. 55 L/min Which of the following measurements is most indicative of pulmonary edema? A. Heart rate of 120/min B. Blood pressure of 92/72 mm Hg C. Pulmonary artery pressure of 25/10 mm Hg
- IV fluid challenge
- positive inotropic agent
- inhaled nitric oxide
- diuretic therapy A. 1 and 3 B. 2 and 4 C. 3 and 4 D. 1 and 2 - Answer B. 2 and 4 What is the primary advantage of volume-controlled ventilation as compared to pressure-controlled ventilation? A. VC limits and controls PIP. B. VC provides a constant minute ventilation. C. VC ensures better patient-ventilator synchrony. D. VC delivers a decelerating flow pattern. - Answer B. VC provides a constant minute ventilation. Bronchial breath sounds heard over the lung periphery indicate A. narrowed airways. B. obstructed bronchi. C. lung consolidation. D. pulmonary edema. - Answer C. lung consolidation. During a pre-operative evaluation, bedside spirometry results are as follows: FVC 88% of predicted, FEV1 85% of predicted, FEV1/FVC 82% of predicted and FEF25-75 81% of predicted. How should the respiratory therapist interpret these results? A. a mild restrictive disorder B. a mild obstructive disorder C. normal lung function D. mixed obstructive/restrictive disorder - Answer C. normal lung function A 55 year-old male patient is being evaluated for pulmonary rehabilitation. During a cycle ergometer cardiopulmonary stress procedure, the patient has a heart rate of 100/min and a respiratory rate of 20/min. He suddenly begins to complain of chest pain and severe shortness of breath. The respiratory therapist should A. reduce the speed of the bike. B. administer supplemental oxygen. C. gradually reduce the workload and monitor closely. D. terminate the procedure immediately. - Answer D. terminate the procedure immediately.
At 1 minute post-delivery, a newborn has blue extremities with a pink body, heart rate is 90/min, respiratory rate is 20/min with a weak cry, cough reflex is present, and there is some flexion of the extremities. At 5 minutes post-delivery, the infant is completely pink, heart rate is 140/min, respiratory rate is 40/min, cough reflex is present, and the baby is active with a strong cry. What APGAR scores should be assigned? A. 4 & 8 B. 5 & 9 C. 5 & 10 D. 6 & 10 - Answer D. 6 & 10 The respiratory therapist is asked to administer 2.5 mg of albuterol to a patient via small volume nebulizer. The medication is available in a 0.5% solution. What volume of albuterol should be administered? A. 0.25 mL B. 0.50 mL C. 1.25 mL D. 2.5 mL - Answer B. 0.50 mL After consulting on management of a patient with pneumonia and atelectasis, the pulmonologist has documented in the Progress Notes a need to change the patient's treatment regimen. The respiratory therapist should A. continue the current treatment plan. B. report the change in treatment plan to the next shift. C. check the electronic medical record for new physician orders. D. disregard the information until notified by the shift supervisor. - Answer C. check the electronic medical record for new physician orders. A 60 kg (132 lb) patient is being mechanically ventilated with the following settings: VC, A/C; VT 500 mL, respiratory rate 12/min, FIO2 1.00 and 10 cm H2O PEEP. The patient's peak airway pressure is 60 cm H2O and his SpO2 is 85%. A current chest x- ray shows diffuse bilateral infiltrates. Which of the following is the most appropriate action in order to reduce peak airway pressure? A. Increase the frequency. B. Change to airway pressure release ventilation. C. Decrease the inspiratory time. D. Increase PEEP to 15 cm H2O. - Answer B. Change to airway pressure release ventilation. In order to verify the accuracy of a lab-based spirometer device, the respiratory therapist should utilize a A. rotameter.
A young healthy adult with complaints of intermittent wheezing is seen in the pulmonary clinic. A pre/post bronchodilator spirometry reveals a normal study with no reversibility. Which of the following should the RT recommend? A. Helium dilution study B. DLCO C. Plethysmography D. Bronchial provocation - Answer D. Bronchial provocation Twenty-four hours after a patient was intubated, she develops a fever of 99.9°F, a right lower lobe infiltrate, and her white blood cell count is 12,000 per mm3. The respiratory therapist should recommend A. antiviral therapy. B. blood transfusion. C. SABA by small volume nebulizer. D. antibiotic therapy. - Answer D. antibiotic therapy. A tracheostomy tube has just been inserted percutaneously into a patient with a C fracture. How much air should the respiratory therapist initially inject into the cuff? A. Enough to achieve a pressure of 25-35 cmH2O. B. Enough to achieve a minimal occluding volume. C. A minimum of 20 mL. D. Until firm tension is felt in the pilot balloon. - Answer A. Enough to achieve a pressure of 25-35 cmH2O. All of the following conditions can be treated with hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy EXCEPT A. carbon monoxide poisoning. B. decompression sickness. C. anaerobic infections. D. pulmonary hypertension. - Answer D. pulmonary hypertension. Which of the following factors are determinants of cardiac output? A. ventricular filling and heart rate B. stroke volume and heart rate C. stroke volume and respiratory rate D. heart rate and tidal volume - Answer B. stroke volume and heart rate The following ABG results are reported for a patient in the ED on room air: pH 7.20; PaCO2 24 torr; PaO2 95 torr; HCO3 8 mEq/L; SaO2 95%; BE - 15 mEq/L. The respiratory therapist should recommend
A. initiating oxygen therapy via nasal cannula at 4 L/min. B. intubating and initiating mechanical ventilation. C. administering sodium bicarbonate intravenously. D. initiating non-invasive ventilation. - Answer C. administering sodium bicarbonate intravenously. The physician asks the respiratory therapist to set ventilator parameters that will deliver the lowest peak inspiratory pressure possible. Which of the following inspiratory flow patterns will enable the therapist to fulfill the physician's request? A. Decelerating B. Square wave C. Constant D. Accelerating - Answer A. Decelerating An intubated patient receiving 30% oxygen has a SpO2 of 80% and ETCO2 of 40 torr. After administration of 50% oxygen for 30 minutes, the respiratory therapist notes that the SpO2 rises to 98% and the ETCO2 remains stable at 40 torr. The major cause of hypoxemia in this patient is A. hypoventilation. B. shunt. C. ventilation/perfusion mismatch. D. increased deadspace. - Answer C. ventilation/perfusion mismatch. A 16 year-old patient with cystic fibrosis attends public high school. Which of the following bronchial hygiene therapies would be most appropriate for this patient? A. intrapulmonary percussive ventilation B. dornase alpha therapy C. vibratory / oscillatory PEP D. postural drainage and manual percussion - Answer C. vibratory / oscillatory PEP A patient reports that he has difficulty breathing while lying in a supine position and prefers to sleep sitting in a chair. The respiratory therapist should record this complaint in the medical record as A. orthopnea. B. platypnea. C. eupnea. D. Kussmaul breathing. - Answer A. orthopnea. A home care patient calls in the middle of the night and reports that the oxygen supply tubing will not stay attached to her transtracheal catheter. The flow rate to the transtracheal catheter is set at 0.5 L/min. The patient has attempted to flush the
medium crackles throughout both lungs. Which of the following should be recommended for management of this patient? A. Pre/post bronchodilator study B. Ultrasonic nebulizer treatments C. Manually assisted coughing D. Regular coughing and deep breathing - Answer D. Regular coughing and deep breathing The respiratory therapist has obtained a blood gas sample from the patient's radial artery and applied pressure to the site for 10 minutes. After removing any excess air from the syringe, the next step for proper handling of the blood sample is A. adding liquid heparin to the sample. B. placing the syringe in an ice bath. C. shaking the sample continuously. D. applying a pressure bandage. - Answer B. placing the syringe in an ice bath. Which of the following findings is LEAST compatible with hyperlucency as seen on a chest x-ray? A. Increased fremitus B. Decreased intensity of breath sounds C. Diminished diaphragmatic excursion D. Hyperresonance to percussion - Answer A. Increased fremitus A spontaneous breathing trial was initiated on an intubated, awake, and alert 70 kg ( lb) patient. After 30 minutes on an FIO2 of 0.30, ABG results are as follows: pH 7.39, PaCO2 44 torr, PaO2 85 torr, and HCO3- 24 mEq/L. The patient's vital signs have remained stable throughout the trial. Which of the following is the most appropriate recommendation? A. Maintain current therapy. B. Initiate NPPV. C. Add 5 cm H2O CPAP. D. Extubate the patient. - Answer D. Extubate the patient. After assisting with bronchoalveolar lavage and lung biopsy on a mechanically ventilated patient, the respiratory therapist notes the activation of a high pressure alarm. Peak inspiratory pressure has increased from 32 cm H2O before the procedure to 45 cm H2O after the procedure. Possible causes for the increased pressure include
- bronchospasm.
- pneumothorax.
- pulmonary hemorrhage.
A. 1 and 2 only B. 1 and 3 only C. 2 and 3 only D. 1, 2, and 3 - Answer D. 1, 2, and 3 A 52 year-old post-operative patient's chest radiograph demonstrates infiltrates in the posterior basal segments of the lower lobes. Which of the following is the appropriate postural drainage position? A. Head down, patient supine with a pillow under knees B. Patient prone with a pillow under head, bed flat C. Patient supine with a pillow under knees, bed flat D. Head down, patient prone with a pillow under hips - Answer D. Head down, patient prone with a pillow under hips A 72 year-old female post stem cell transplant patient in the ICU is complaining of difficulty breathing and is noted to have diffuse fluffy infiltrates on chest X-ray. The B- type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) test result demonstrates 700 pg/mL. What is the patient's possible condition? A. severe heart failure B. respiratory distress syndrome C. severe renal failure D. moderate heart failure - Answer D. moderate heart failure Following blunt chest trauma, a 35-year-old male is orally intubated and continuous mechanical ventilation is initiated. Physical assessment of the neck and chest reveal a midline trachea and significant reduction in thoracic expansion of the left chest. There are diminished breath sounds in the left lung compared to the right lung. These findings most likely indicate which of the following? A. flail chest on right thorax B. right tension pneumothorax C. endobronchial intubation D. subcutaneous emphysema - Answer C. endobronchial intubation While reviewing quality control data for the blood gas lab, the respiratory therapist notes the following data plot for the pH electrode: Which of the following should the therapist recommend? A. Repeat the previous control analysis B. Remove the analyzer from service C. Reset the analyzation module on the analyzer D. Recalibrate the pH electrode - Answer D. Recalibrate the pH electrode
The respiratory therapist is completing oxygen rounds on the ward and checking oxygen saturations on a number of patients. What solution would be most appropriate for disinfecting the surface of the pulse oximeter between patients? A. 70% ethyl alchohol B. Warm soapy water C. Bleach D. Acid glutaraldehyde - Answer A. 70% ethyl alchohol Evaluation of a spontaneously breathing patient reveals tachypnea, tracheal deviation to the right and an absence of breath sounds on the left. The most likely etiology would be A. bronchiectasis. B. myasthenia gravis. C. acute asthmatic attack. D. left tension pneumothorax. - Answer D. left tension pneumothorax. The most serious complication associated with airway suctioning is A. hypoxemia. B. bradycardia. C. mucosal trauma. D. gag reflex stimulation - Answer A. hypoxemia. What is the most appropriate position for a female patient who is 5'3" tall, weighs 200 kg and is complaining of difficulty breathing? A. Sims B. Trendelenburg C. lateral Fowlers D. Fowlers - Answer C. lateral Fowlers Which of the following values for arterial carbon dioxide tension is consistent with significant alveolar hypoventilation? A. 20 torr B. 30 torr C. 40 torr D. 50 torr - Answer D. 50 torr The ability to distinguish central apnea from obstructive apnea during a sleep study requires the respiratory therapist to monitor
- electrocardiogram.
- electroencephalogram.
- nasal air flow.
- chest wall impedance. A. 1 and 2 only B. 3 and 4 only C. 2, 3, and 4 only D. 1, 2, and 3 only - Answer B. 3 and 4 only All of the following statements are TRUE with regard to cuff inflation techniques EXCEPT A. minimal leak/minimal occlusion volume techniques negate the need for cuff pressure monitoring. B. minimal leak technique allows a small leak at the end of inspiration. C. at minimal occlusion volume, air leakage around the tube cuff should cease. D. cuff pressure should not exceed 35 cmH2O in order to allow circulation to tracheal mucosa. - Answer A. minimal leak/minimal occlusion volume techniques negate the need for cuff pressure monitoring. The sharp rise in exhaled CO2 at the beginning of exhalation on a capnographic tracing is representative of A. tidal volume. B. pulmonary shunt. C. V/Q mismatch. D. alveolar gas that has participated in gas exchange. - Answer D. alveolar gas that has participated in gas exchange. A sudden decrease in end-tidal CO2 occurs in a mechanically ventilated patient. A repeat analysis yields the same results. Which of the following situations might have accounted for these readings? A. The ventilator circuit has become disconnected. B. There is a leak around the endotracheal tube. C. There is an increase in alveolar dead space. D. The carbon dioxide absorber is exhausted. - Answer A. The ventilator circuit has become disconnected. A patient has mild stridor immediately after extubation. This finding is most often associated with A. lower airway obstruction. B. secretions in the large airways. C. upper airway obstruction. D. bronchial spasm. - Answer C. upper airway obstruction. A trauma patient in the ED is spontaneously breathing oxygen via nasal cannula at 2 L/min. Vital signs are heart rate 110/min, respiratory rate 32/min, blood pressure 90/
cm H2O. Breath sounds reveal a few fine bibasilar crackles. This situation should be described as A. shunting. B. hypoventilation. C. hyperoxygenation. D. fluid overload. - Answer C. hyperoxygenation. Which of the following physiologic values would be present in a patient who has proper fluid balance? A. PCWP of 22 mm Hg B. CVP between 3 and 6 mm Hg C. urine output of 20 mL/hr D. increase in body weight - Answer B. CVP between 3 and 6 mm Hg The respiratory therapist prepares to assist with a bronchoscopy of a patient in the ICU currently receiving mechanical ventilation in the VC,AC mode. The therapist should anticipate addressing all of the following considerations EXCEPT A. introduction of the bronchoscope will create increased resistance to flow. B. the tidal volume of the patient must be closely monitored during the procedure. C. the patient's extrinsic PEEP levels will increase. D. peak inspiratory pressure on the ventilator will rise. - Answer C. the patient's extrinsic PEEP levels will increase. Dynamic hyperinflation is a major concern when using Volume Control, Assist/Control ventilation in patients with which of the following conditions? A. Post-traumatic chest trauma B. Community-acquired pneumonia C. Spinal cord injury D. Chronic bronchitis - Answer D. Chronic bronchitis A post-operative thoracic surgery patient is having difficulty developing an effective cough. The respiratory therapist should recommend all of the following techniques to aid this patient in generating a more effective cough EXCEPT: A. coordinating coughing with pain medication. B. performing serial coughs. C. applying pressure to patient's abdomen during exhalation. D. "splinting" the incision area. - Answer C. applying pressure to patient's abdomen during exhalation. Which of the following should the respiratory therapist consider when preparing for helicopter transport of a patient receiving mechanical ventilation?
- Select a ventilator that uses demand valves rather than a reservoir IMV system.
- Calculate oxygen cylinder duration of flow.
- Selecting a ventilator that incorporates an internal air compressor. A. 1 and 2 only B. 2 and 3only C. 3 only D. 1, 2, and 3 - Answer A. 1 and 2 only A 65 year-old female patient with advanced emphysema comes to the ED and is placed on a nasal cannula at 6 L/min. On inspection, the respiratory therapist finds that the patient has become drowsy and less responsive since the oxygen therapy was initiated an hour ago. ABG on 6 L/min are: pH 7.33, PaCO2 64 torr, PaO2 85 torr, HCO3 35 mEq/L. Which of the following should the therapist recommend? A. Leave the patient on the cannula and continue to monitor. B. Change to a 24% Venti-mask and repeat ABG. C. Change to a simple oxygen mask and repeat ABG. D. Prepare the patient for endotracheal intubation. - Answer B. Change to a 24% Venti- mask and repeat ABG. A patient receiving warfarin (Coumadin®) has a prothrombin time (PT) of 20 seconds. These findings indicate a A. high likelihood of excessive bleeding. B. normal clotting ability. C. propensity for increased clotting. D. decrease in bone marrow function. - Answer A. high likelihood of excessive bleeding. A mechanically ventilated patient with a tracheostomy tube is on the following settings: PC, SIMV, PIP 30 cmH2O, f 20/min, FIO2 0.60, PEEP 5 cmH2O. The ventilator alarm suddenly begins to sound and on quick examination, the respiratory therapist notices a generalized decrease in breath sounds and a reduction in delivered tidal volume from 650 mL to 500 mL. Which of the following conditions is most likely? A. The patient has been disconnected. B. Complete obstruction of the tracheostomy tube. C. Development of a left-sided pneumothorax. D. Partial obstruction of the tracheostomy tube. - Answer D. Partial obstruction of the tracheostomy tube. The respiratory therapist is instructing a postoperative abdominal surgery patient on how to perform incentive spirometry. The therapist should explain that the purpose of the treatment is to A. prevent microatelectasis.
