Sample Practice Exam – With Explanations

The following data has been obtained from a ventilator patient on volume-controlled (VC) ventilation and a tidal volume of 600 mL.

Which of the following statements regarding these data are true?

A 28-week gestational age neonate on PCV suddenly becomes tachypneic and unilateral chest expansion is observed.  Which of the following should the respiratory therapist recommend?

While evaluating a postoperative patient for which incentive spirometry has been ordered, the respiratory therapist obtains a VC of 6 ml/kg of body weight. The therapist should do which of the following?

The respiratory therapist is instructing a patient who is about to be discharged from the hospital the proper method for cleaning equipment in the home. Which of the following should be included in the procedure?

A 6 ft 5 in tall male patient is intubated with an 8.0-mm ET tube that is taped at the lip at the 20 cm mark. The respiratory therapist hears a gurgling sound during inspiration and observes the patient’s exhaled tidal volume is 250 mL less than the inhaled tidal volume. The therapist increases the cuff pressure from 18 cm H₂O to 27 cm H₂O with no change in the sound or exhaled volume. The therapist should

The following data is collected from a 75 kg (165 lb) patient receiving VC ventilation.

Vent Settings:

ABG Results:

The patient’s chest x-ray indicates lobar atelectasis. Based on these data, the most appropriate recommendation is which of the following?

An intubated patient begins exhibiting severe respiratory distress. The respiratory therapist auscultates no breath sounds and determines there is no gas flow passing through the end of the ET tube.  The high pressure alarm is sounding on the ventilator. Which of the following should the therapist do?

The following data are collected from a patient receiving VC ventilation.

This patient’s static lung compliance is which of the following?

A patient’s PaO₂ is 88 torr on a nonrebreathing mask, but the patient complains he can’t tolerate wearing the mask. Which of the following should the respiratory therapist recommend?

Sinus bradycardia is observed on the EKG monitor during the resuscitation of a 63-year-old female who was admitted to the ED following an episode of severe chest pain. The patient has no pulse and blood pressure cannot be measured. Which of the following should the respiratory therapist recommend?