Free NBRC Respiratory Therapist Questions and Answers

Question 1

You have finished charting on your patient when you notice that an error was made.  You should do which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Place a line through the error, initial it, and write in the correct information

Answer

When an error is made while charting on a patient, the appropriate action is to place a line through the error, initial it, and then write in the correct information. This ensures that the error is clearly marked and the correct information is recorded. Informing the nurse or supervisor is not necessary in this case as the error can be rectified immediately by the person who made it.

Question 2

In listening to a patient's lungs, you notice bronchial breath sounds in her right lower lobe.  These would indicate which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Consolidation in her right lower lobe

Answer

Bronchial breath sounds are harsh and high-pitched sounds heard over the trachea or bronchi, and they are not normally heard in healthy lung tissue. The presence of bronchial breath sounds in the right lower lobe suggests consolidation, which refers to the filling of the alveoli with fluid or solid material. This can be caused by conditions such as pneumonia or lung abscess. Therefore, the correct answer is consolidation in her right lower lobe.

Question 3

You are called to start a new aerosolized medication treatment.  After reading the physician's order, you notice that the drug dosage is outside the normal department guidelines.  You should do which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Contact the physician to confirm that the order is indeed correct

Answer

Given the scenario where the drug dosage is outside the normal department guidelines, it is important to ensure patient safety. Contacting the physician to confirm the order is the appropriate course of action as it allows for clarification and verification of the dosage. This step helps to prevent any potential harm to the patient and ensures that the medication is administered correctly.

Question 4

You are called to the Emergency Department to help care for a patient who was in a car accident and has chest injuries, including broken ribs.  While palpating her neck, you feel crepitation.  What is the most likely cause of this?

Accepted Answer

She has an air leak from her lung

Answer

The most likely cause of crepitation in the neck while palpating is an air leak from the lung. This can occur due to a pneumothorax, which is a condition where air accumulates in the pleural space between the lung and the chest wall. The presence of broken ribs in the patient suggests the possibility of a traumatic injury to the chest, which could lead to a pneumothorax. The air leak from the lung can cause subcutaneous emphysema, leading to the crepitation felt in the neck. This is a common finding in patients with chest trauma and can be a potentially serious condition requiring immediate medical attention.

Question 5

You are called ot help in the evaluation of a 55-year old male patient.  You notice the following signs and symptoms: oral temperature of 40 degrees C (104.5 F), diaphoresis, respiratory rate of 22, the use of accessory muscles of respiration, and palpable rhonchi in the right lower love.  You would suspect which of the following diagnoses:

Accepted Answer

Bacterial pneumonia

Answer

Based on the signs and symptoms observed in the patient, such as high fever, diaphoresis (excessive sweating), increased respiratory rate, use of accessory muscles for breathing, and palpable rhonchi (abnormal sounds) in the right lower lobe, the most likely diagnosis would be bacterial pneumonia. Bacterial pneumonia is an infection of the lungs caused by bacteria, which can lead to symptoms such as high fever, difficulty breathing, and abnormal lung sounds. Heart attack and pneumothorax may present with different symptoms, while viral pneumonia may have similar symptoms but is less likely given the severity of the patient's presentation.

NBRC - National Board for Respiratory Care Practice Test

NBRC - National Board for Respiratory Care Practice Test

Free NBRC Respiratory Therapist Questions and Answers