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RRT Clinical Concepts Flashcards

7 cards from real RRT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

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  1. Which maneuver is used to assess intrinsic PEEP (auto-PEEP) in a mechanically ventilated patient?

    Answer: End-expiratory hold

    An end-expiratory hold occludes the expiratory valve at end-exhalation, allowing trapped pressure to equilibrate and be measured as auto-PEEP.

  2. A patient on CPAP for OSA is mouth breathing and complaining of dry mouth. The MOST appropriate intervention is:

    Answer: Apply a chin strap and add a humidifier

    A chin strap reduces mouth opening while a heated humidifier adds moisture to prevent mucosal drying from mouth breathing on CPAP.

  3. Which radiographic finding is most characteristic of pulmonary embolism on a plain chest X-ray?

    Answer: Westermark sign (oligemia)

    The Westermark sign is a focal area of oligemia (decreased vascular markings) distal to a pulmonary embolus, though it is an uncommon finding.

  4. A spontaneously breathing patient with neuromuscular disease has MIP of -18 cmH2O. This indicates:

    Answer: Severely weakened inspiratory muscles

    Normal MIP is more negative than -80 cmH2O; an MIP of only -18 cmH2O indicates severely compromised inspiratory muscle strength.

  5. Which statement about nitric oxide (NO) therapy in neonatal hypoxic respiratory failure is correct?

    Answer: It selectively dilates pulmonary vasculature in ventilated lung units

    Inhaled NO selectively reaches ventilated alveoli, dilating adjacent pulmonary vessels and improving V/Q matching without systemic vasodilation.

  6. In prone positioning for ARDS, the primary mechanism of improved oxygenation is:

    Answer: Redistribution of perfusion to better-ventilated dorsal lung units

    Proning redistributes pulmonary blood flow to the dorsal (now dependent) lung regions, which are better ventilated, improving V/Q matching.

  7. A patient with a tracheostomy tube is being weaned from ventilator support. Which device allows vocalization while maintaining airway access?

    Answer: Passy-Muir speaking valve

    A Passy-Muir valve is a one-way valve placed on the tracheostomy hub that directs exhaled air upward through the vocal cords to allow speech.