Respiratory Care Flashcards
7 cards from real RNC-NIC 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 Care flashcards as text
A premature neonate develops a sudden deterioration with decreased breath sounds on the right, hypotension, and bradycardia. Transillumination of the chest is positive on the right. What is the immediate intervention?
Answer: Emergency needle decompression at the second intercostal space, midclavicular line
Tension pneumothorax is a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate needle decompression at the 2nd intercostal space, midclavicular line, without waiting for imaging.
Which of the following is the correct target SpO2 range for a premature neonate less than 32 weeks gestational age receiving supplemental oxygen?
Answer: 90-95%
Current evidence supports targeting SpO2 of 90-95% in extremely preterm neonates to balance the risks of retinopathy of prematurity and mortality.
A neonate with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is intubated at birth. Which ventilation strategy is most appropriate?
Answer: Gentle ventilation with permissive hypercapnia and low pressures
Gentle ventilation with permissive hypercapnia avoids barotrauma to the hypoplastic lungs in CDH; aggressive ventilation worsens outcomes.
When setting up a neonatal ventilator, which tidal volume range is considered lung-protective for a preterm neonate?
Answer: 4-6 mL/kg
Tidal volumes of 4-6 mL/kg are recommended for lung-protective ventilation in preterm neonates to minimize volutrauma.
A 26-week neonate receiving CPAP has FiO2 requirements of 0.45. Which clinical criteria would support transition to mechanical ventilation?
Answer: FiO2 greater than 0.40 with increased work of breathing and apnea
Failure criteria for CPAP include increasing FiO2 needs (>0.40-0.50), recurrent apnea, and signs of respiratory failure, indicating need for intubation.
A neonate is being weaned from mechanical ventilation. Which parameter is typically weaned last before extubation?
Answer: Respiratory rate
Respiratory rate is typically weaned last as it supports the neonate's minute ventilation; once the rate is low enough, extubation is considered.
Which lung condition is characterized by air trapping in neonates who develop chronic lung disease often associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation and oxygen exposure?
Answer: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disease resulting from lung injury related to prematurity, oxygen toxicity, and mechanical ventilation.