RRT RRT Pulmonary Function Testing 3

Question 1

A maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP or NIF) of -20 cmH2O in a neuromuscular disease patient suggests what?

Accepted Answer

Severely reduced inspiratory muscle strength with high intubation risk

Answer

A MIP less negative than -20 to -25 cmH2O indicates critically weak inspiratory muscles, predicting respiratory failure in neuromuscular disease.

Question 2

What does the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) primarily assess in pulmonary patients?

Accepted Answer

Functional exercise capacity and submaximal aerobic performance

Answer

The 6MWT measures the distance walked in 6 minutes, reflecting submaximal exercise tolerance and correlating with quality of life in COPD and pulmonary hypertension.

Question 3

Increased airway resistance (Raw) on body plethysmography is most consistent with which condition?

Accepted Answer

COPD or asthma

Answer

COPD and asthma cause airway narrowing from inflammation, mucus, and bronchospasm, increasing airway resistance measured by body plethysmography.

Question 4

Which spirometric measure has the highest day-to-day variability and is least recommended for diagnosing obstruction?

Accepted Answer

Peak expiratory flow (PEF)

Answer

Peak expiratory flow is highly effort-dependent and variable, making it useful for home monitoring but not for definitive diagnosis of airflow obstruction.

Question 5

In cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), a low anaerobic threshold (AT) is most associated with:

Accepted Answer

Cardiovascular deconditioning or heart failure

Answer

A low anaerobic threshold indicates early lactate production due to inadequate cardiac output or deconditioning, suggesting cardiovascular limitation to exercise.

RRT Exam Practice Test

RRT Exam Practice Test

RRT RRT Pulmonary Function Testing 3