NBRC Respiratory Therapist 3

Question 1

A patient with suspected obstructive sleep apnea undergoes a polysomnogram. Which finding is diagnostic of severe OSA?

Accepted Answer

AHI ≥ 30 events/hour

Answer

Severe OSA is defined by an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 30 or more events per hour of sleep.

Question 2

During a spontaneous breathing trial (SBT), which finding is an indication to ABORT the trial?

Accepted Answer

Respiratory rate of 28 breaths/min sustained for 5 minutes

Answer

A sustained respiratory rate above 35 breaths/min during an SBT indicates failure and the trial should be stopped.

Question 3

What is the primary goal of prone positioning in patients with severe ARDS?

Accepted Answer

Improve V/Q matching and oxygenation

Answer

Prone positioning redistributes lung perfusion to better-ventilated dorsal regions, improving ventilation-perfusion matching and oxygenation.

Question 4

A patient requires aerosol therapy via small-volume nebulizer during mechanical ventilation. Where should the nebulizer be placed in the circuit?

Accepted Answer

15 cm from the patient Y-piece on the inspiratory limb

Answer

Placing the SVN 15 cm from the Y-piece on the inspiratory limb allows aerosol to accumulate in the circuit between breaths, increasing delivery.

Question 5

Which pulmonary function test finding is characteristic of a restrictive lung disease pattern?

Accepted Answer

Reduced TLC with normal or elevated FEV1/FVC ratio

Answer

Restrictive disease reduces lung volumes (TLC, VC, FRC) while the FEV1/FVC ratio remains normal or elevated due to proportional reductions.

NBRC - National Board for Respiratory Care Practice Test