RRT RRT Knowledge 4

Question 1

A 32-week premature neonate presents with grunting, nasal flaring, and retractions within 2 hours of birth. Chest X-ray shows diffuse bilateral ground-glass opacities. The MOST likely diagnosis is:

Accepted Answer

Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)

Answer

Neonatal RDS is caused by surfactant deficiency in premature infants and presents with early respiratory distress and bilateral ground-glass infiltrates on X-ray.

Question 2

Which parameter BEST reflects a patient's alveolar ventilation?

Accepted Answer

PaCO2

Answer

PaCO2 is inversely proportional to alveolar ventilation and is the gold standard measure of the adequacy of ventilation.

Question 3

When using a helium-oxygen (heliox) mixture to treat upper airway obstruction, the MOST appropriate concentration is:

Accepted Answer

70% He / 30% O2

Answer

A 70% helium / 30% oxygen mixture provides the optimal balance of low gas density for improved flow while delivering sufficient FiO2.

Question 4

A patient has a total lung capacity (TLC) of 6.0 L, a residual volume (RV) of 2.4 L, and an RV/TLC ratio of 40%. This pattern is MOST consistent with:

Accepted Answer

Obstructive lung disease

Answer

An elevated RV/TLC ratio above 35% indicates air trapping characteristic of obstructive lung disease such as emphysema or severe asthma.

Question 5

The recommended initial tidal volume setting for a mechanically ventilated patient with ARDS is:

Accepted Answer

6–8 mL/kg predicted body weight

Answer

The ARDSNet protocol recommends 6 mL/kg predicted body weight (PBW), with a range of 4–8 mL/kg PBW to limit volutrauma.

RRT Exam Practice Test

RRT Exam Practice Test

RRT RRT Knowledge 4