Free RRT MCQ Questions And Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A female patient, age 50, appears with a three-month history of a cough that produces phlegm and is worse in the morning after getting up. The sputum has a little to moderate amount, a middling consistency, and a pale yellow tint. No recent ill contacts or fever are present. Rhonchi are sometimes heard bilaterally during auscultation, particularly in the lower lobes. The patient has never smoked. What do you suggest?
- The patient needs pulmonary rehabilitation with exercise and nutritional counseling.
- A more complete history including vocation, exposure to environmental hazards, and family history is required. Also, PFTs are indicated for this patient with a pre- and post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC. (Correct answer)
- Tell the physician that the patient has COPD and needs a long-acting beta agonist and an inhaled corticosteroid to start at once.
- An order for a stat CXR and a complete blood count (CBC) with differential is necessary to rule out pneumonia.
Correct answer: A more complete history including vocation, exposure to environmental hazards, and family history is required. Also, PFTs are indicated for this patient with a pre- and post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC.
The patient is displaying the classic signs and symptoms of chronic bronchitis-related COPD. She does not smoke, but smokers are not the only people who can get this chronic illness. It is also believed that a family history of COPD and ongoing lung irritation are contributing factors. A specific drug regimen cannot be advised due to a lack of information. Fever and an abrupt onset are two common clinical signs of pneumonia. It is not possible to recommend pulmonary rehabilitation until the illness is identified.
Question 2: A patient with a productive cough, a fever, and bilateral rhonchi in the lower lobes arrives to the ED of your hospital. The radiologist claims that the CXR may demonstrate bilateral infiltration. What quantity of white blood cells (WBCs) per microliter (mcL) would we anticipate to detect to establish a diagnosis of pneumonia?
- 12,000 to 14,000 WBCs/mcL (Correct answer)
- 7,000 to 10,000 WBCs/mcL
- 7,000 to 10,000 WBCs/mcL
- 2,000 to 3,000 WBCs/mcL
Correct answer: 12,000 to 14,000 WBCs/mcL
White blood cell counts typically fall within a range of 4,500 to 10,000. Since pneumonia is an infectious disease, we would anticipate to find high white blood cell counts of more than 10,000 WBC/mcL. In most cases, bacterial and viral illnesses will increase the WBC count.
Question 3: You discover traces of blood on the dressing between the stoma and the tube flange while providing routine care to a patient who has a tracheostomy. Which of these is the right move to take?
- Continue regular tracheostomy care as per usual protocol, make a mental note of the trace blood, and tell the next therapist about it when you give your report at the change of shift.
- Put on a new, clean dressing and set a reminder to check for additional problems when doing tracheostomy care the following day.
- Clean the area of the stoma with normal saline; do a careful inspection of the condition of the stoma; replace the old dressing with a new, clean dressing; carefully note your observation in the patient chart; and directly notify the unit manager that the stoma needs the attention of the patient’s physician or advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) when one of them next does rounds. (Correct answer)
- Clean the area of the stoma with a cotton swab saturated with hydrogen peroxide and sterile water in a 50/50 mix; replace the dressing with a clean, new dressing; and ask that the patient be seen by the physician on call stat.
Correct answer: Clean the area of the stoma with normal saline; do a careful inspection of the condition of the stoma; replace the old dressing with a new, clean dressing; carefully note your observation in the patient chart; and directly notify the unit manager that the stoma needs the attention of the patient’s physician or advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) when one of them next does rounds.
Trace amounts of blood on the dressing could be a sign of an infection, granuloma, or another stoma-related issue. While not an emergency, it is crucial that the doctor is informed. The patient record needs to reflect it.
Question 4: Despite wearing a venturi mask that provides a FiO2 of 0.45 and a SpO2 of 87%, the patient in your care has proper tidal volumes, clean bilateral breath sounds throughout his lung fields, a normal CBC, and no signs or symptoms of infection. Although he is not currently taking an anticoagulant, the patient's file indicates a history of a clotting condition. Which examination would you advise getting done next?
- CXR
- ultrasound exam of aorta and echocardiogram
- prothrombin time (PT) and international normalized ratio (INR)
- ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan (Correct answer)
Correct answer: ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan
The patient's medical history and present state point to a ventilation/perfusion issue, possibly a pulmonary embolism. Calculating the Pa and Pa difference reveals this. The clotting disorder suggests that PE might exist. The results of the other tests are not likely to show the existence or absence of a pulmonary embolism.
Question 5: When a patient's SpO2 falls from 90% to 85% while they are being monitored in the telemetry unit, an alarm is triggered. The patient is equipped with a disposable inner cannula, a No. 6 Shiley tracheostomy tube, and a deflated cuff. What is the first thing you have to do when you walk into her room?
- Attempt to pass a suction catheter through the tracheostomy tube to remove accumulated secretions and to ensure that the tube is patent.
- Assess the patient for signs of distress and check the pulse oximetry probe to see that it is securely in place. (Correct answer)
- Check that the FiO2 setting on the entrainment device is set properly, as ordered.
- Begin bag-mask ventilation with 100% oxygen at 15 L/min.
Correct answer: Assess the patient for signs of distress and check the pulse oximetry probe to see that it is securely in place.
The patient must be evaluated when an oxygen saturation warning goes off since pulse oximetry requires precise skin contact and is frequently erroneous because to patient movement, skin hair, patient diaphoresis, or sensor connections. Check the location of the pulse oximetry probe and observe the patient for any indications of respiratory distress. The next action would be to suction the tracheostomy tube if the patient showed signs of distress.
Question 6: Which of the following arterial blood gas (ABG) readings (on 4 L/min O2 through nasal cannula) best demonstrates acute or chronic lung disease?
- pH 7.40 PO2 70 PCO2 40 HCO3 25
- pH 7.30 PO2 91 PCO2 52 HCO3 30
- pH 7.36 PO2 86 PCO2 52 HCO3 30 (Correct answer)
- pH 7.11 PO2 79 PCO2 61 HCO3 24
Correct answer: pH 7.36 PO2 86 PCO2 52 HCO3 30
These findings demonstrate how an enhanced HCO3 level somewhat offsets the slightly increased acidity caused by a high CO2 level. The reduced PaCO2 indicates ""acute"". The high HCO2 indicates a ""chronic"" condition.
Question 7: Which of these tests should the doctor order to find out a patient's functional residual capacity (FRC)?
- body plethysmography (Correct answer)
- ABG analysis
- V/Q scan
- bedside spirometry
Correct answer: body plethysmography
None of the other examinations can quantify FRC. Only when the total lung capacity, which can be determined by body plethysmography or nitrogen washout, is known can the FRC be calculated.
Question 8: Which of the following is a sign of respiratory distress?
- Decreased heart rate
- Pale skin
- Low blood pressure
- Rapid breathing (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Rapid breathing
Rapid breathing is a common symptom of respiratory distress as the body tries to get more oxygen.
Question 9: What does the term "ARDS" stand for in respiratory care?
- Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (Correct answer)
- Advanced Radiology Diagnosis System
- Automated Respiratory Documentation Software
- Airway Restriction Disorder System
Correct answer: Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
ARDS is a severe lung condition that causes rapid breathing, difficulty getting enough air, and low blood oxygen levels.
Question 10: Which of the following is a common technique used by respiratory therapists to help clear mucus from the airways?
- Intravenous medication
- Percussion therapy (Correct answer)
- Dental extraction
- Eye drops
Correct answer: Percussion therapy
Percussion therapy involves tapping the chest to loosen and help move mucus from the airways.
Question 11: What is the role of a respiratory therapist in pulmonary rehabilitation programs?
- Providing massage therapy
- Leading yoga classes
- Developing exercise plans (Correct answer)
- Offering nutritional counseling
Correct answer: Developing exercise plans
Respiratory therapists play a role in designing exercise programs to improve lung function and overall health.
Question 12: Which of the following conditions might require the use of a ventilator?
- Sprained ankle
- Common cold
- Pneumonia (Correct answer)
- Ear infection
Correct answer: Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection that can lead to difficulty breathing and may require ventilator support.
Question 13: What is the purpose of a pulmonary function test?
- To measure heart rate
- To assess kidney function
- To evaluate lung function (Correct answer)
- To test blood sugar levels
Correct answer: To evaluate lung function
Pulmonary function tests measure how well the lungs are working and can help diagnose respiratory conditions.
Question 14: Which of the following devices might a respiratory therapist use to deliver a precise amount of oxygen to a patient?
- Cane
- Walker
- Nebulizer
- Venturi mask (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Venturi mask
A Venturi mask delivers a specific oxygen concentration to a patient and is commonly used in respiratory therapy.
Question 15: What is the primary purpose of a nasal cannula?
- Administering pain medication
- Delivering oxygen (Correct answer)
- Measuring blood pressure
- Treating skin rashes
Correct answer: Delivering oxygen
A nasal cannula is a device used to deliver supplemental oxygen to patients.
Question 16: Which of the following is a respiratory therapist's responsibility in the case of a premature newborn with underdeveloped lungs?
- Performing a dental exam
- Administering allergy medication
- Assisting with intubation (Correct answer)
- Recommending contact lenses
Correct answer: Assisting with intubation
Premature newborns with underdeveloped lungs might require intubation and ventilator support, which respiratory therapists can assist with.
Free RRT MCQ Questions And Answers
A female patient, age 50, appears with a three-month history of a cough that produces phlegm and is worse in the morning after getting up.
The sputum has a little to moderate amount, a middling consistency, and a pale yellow tint.
No recent ill contacts or fever are present.
Rhonchi are sometimes heard bilaterally during auscultation, particularly in the lower lobes.
The patient has never smoked.
What do you suggest?