Respiratory Therapy & Intervention Techniques Flashcards
7 cards from real CRE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Respiratory Therapy & Intervention Techniques flashcards as text
During high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy at 40 L/min, which physiological benefit distinguishes HFNC from standard oxygen delivery systems?
Answer: It generates a predictable low level of positive airway pressure and washes out nasopharyngeal dead space
HFNC generates 1–3 cmH₂O of end-expiratory pressure, flushes CO₂-laden dead space in the nasopharynx, and delivers a more consistent FiO₂ than low-flow systems.
A cystic fibrosis patient is prescribed dornase alfa (DNase) via nebulizer. What is its mechanism of action?
Answer: It cleaves extracellular DNA in sputum to reduce mucus viscosity
Dornase alfa is a recombinant human DNase that hydrolyzes the DNA released from neutrophils in CF sputum, reducing sputum viscosity and improving clearance.
Which parameter is monitored to assess the adequacy of alveolar ventilation in a mechanically ventilated patient?
Answer: PaCO₂
PaCO₂ is the direct indicator of alveolar ventilation; hypercapnia indicates hypoventilation and hypocapnia indicates hyperventilation.
A respiratory educator is counseling a patient newly prescribed a long-acting beta-2 agonist (LABA) for COPD maintenance therapy. Which statement should be emphasized?
Answer: This medication is for daily maintenance; use your short-acting rescue inhaler for acute symptoms
LABAs have a slow onset and long duration; they are not appropriate for acute rescue and must be distinguished from short-acting beta-2 agonists (SABAs) in patient education.
When performing nasotracheal suctioning in an awake patient, which intervention best reduces the risk of hypoxemia during the procedure?
Answer: Pre-oxygenating with 100% oxygen for at least 30 seconds before suctioning
Pre-oxygenation builds an oxygen reserve that compensates for the oxygen removed with secretions and the apnea that may occur during suctioning.
Which finding on a flow-volume loop is most characteristic of a fixed upper airway obstruction such as a tracheal stenosis?
Answer: Flattening of both the inspiratory and expiratory limbs of the loop
A fixed obstruction limits flow equally during both inspiration and expiration, producing a characteristic 'box-like' flattening of both limbs of the flow-volume loop.
A patient admitted with an acute exacerbation of COPD has pH 7.28, PaCO₂ 68 mmHg, and PaO₂ 54 mmHg on 2 L/min NC. Which initial respiratory management step is MOST appropriate?
Answer: Initiate noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV/BiPAP)
NIPPV is the first-line intervention for acute hypercapnic respiratory failure in COPD exacerbations; it reduces intubation rates, hospital stay, and mortality.