RRT RRT 4

Question 1

Which ventilator waveform pattern indicates air trapping (auto-PEEP) on a flow-time scalar?

Accepted Answer

Expiratory flow that does not return to zero before the next breath

Answer

Auto-PEEP is identified when expiratory flow fails to return to baseline (zero) before the next inspiratory cycle begins.

Question 2

Which of the following is a contraindication to non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV)?

Accepted Answer

Inability to protect airway due to altered mental status

Answer

Patients unable to protect their airway due to decreased consciousness are at high risk for aspiration and should be intubated.

Question 3

What does a shift of the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve to the RIGHT indicate?

Accepted Answer

Decreased hemoglobin affinity for oxygen and increased tissue oxygen delivery

Answer

A rightward shift (Bohr effect) decreases hemoglobin-O2 affinity, promoting oxygen release to tissues; caused by acidosis, hyperthermia, or elevated 2,3-DPG.

Question 4

Which parameter best reflects the adequacy of alveolar ventilation?

Accepted Answer

PaCO2

Answer

PaCO2 directly reflects CO2 elimination and is the gold-standard measure of alveolar ventilation adequacy.

Question 5

A patient on mechanical ventilation develops sudden decrease in SpO2, increased peak airway pressure, absent breath sounds on the left, and tracheal deviation to the right. The MOST likely diagnosis is:

Accepted Answer

Left-sided tension pneumothorax

Answer

Absent left breath sounds, tracheal deviation away from the affected side, and hemodynamic instability indicate left-sided tension pneumothorax requiring emergency needle decompression.

RRT Exam Practice Test

RRT Exam Practice Test

RRT RRT 4