RRT RRT 3

Question 1

Which pulmonary function test finding is most consistent with obstructive lung disease?

Accepted Answer

FEV1/FVC ratio less than 0.70

Answer

An FEV1/FVC ratio below 0.70 is the hallmark spirometric criterion for airflow obstruction.

Question 2

Which medication is most appropriate for treating a patient experiencing an acute severe asthma attack unresponsive to inhaled albuterol?

Accepted Answer

Intravenous magnesium sulfate

Answer

IV magnesium sulfate causes bronchial smooth muscle relaxation and is used for severe refractory asthma.

Question 3

When calculating the alveolar-arterial (A-a) oxygen gradient, which formula is used to find PAO2?

Accepted Answer

PAO2 = FiO2 (PB - PH2O) - PaCO2/RQ

Answer

The alveolar gas equation: PAO2 = FiO2(PB − 47) − PaCO2/0.8 is used to calculate alveolar oxygen tension.

Question 4

Which of the following best describes the Fick principle as applied to cardiac output measurement?

Accepted Answer

CO = O2 consumption / (CaO2 - CvO2)

Answer

The Fick principle states cardiac output equals oxygen consumption divided by the arteriovenous oxygen content difference.

Question 5

A patient with neuromuscular disease shows a maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) of -18 cmH2O. What does this suggest?

Accepted Answer

Significant respiratory muscle weakness requiring monitoring for ventilatory failure

Answer

MIP less negative than -20 cmH2O indicates severe inspiratory muscle weakness and risk of ventilatory failure.

RRT Exam Practice Test