RRT RRT Knowledge 5

Question 1

A patient with a tracheostomy tube in place develops subcutaneous emphysema around the stoma site and decreased breath sounds. The MOST likely cause is:

Accepted Answer

False passage or paratracheal tube placement

Answer

Subcutaneous emphysema with decreased breath sounds after tracheostomy placement suggests the tube has created a false passage outside the trachea.

Question 2

The Fick equation for cardiac output requires which of the following variables?

Accepted Answer

VO2, CaO2, and CvO2

Answer

The Fick equation is CO = VO2 / (CaO2 − CvO2), requiring oxygen consumption and the arteriovenous oxygen content difference.

Question 3

A mechanically ventilated patient has an end-tidal CO2 (EtCO2) of 28 mmHg and a PaCO2 of 44 mmHg. The arterial-to-end-tidal CO2 gradient of 16 mmHg MOST likely indicates:

Accepted Answer

Increased dead space ventilation

Answer

A large PaCO2–EtCO2 gradient (normally ≤5 mmHg) indicates increased dead space ventilation, where exhaled CO2 is diluted by non-perfused alveolar gas.

Question 4

Which inhaled medication is classified as a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) and is used in COPD maintenance therapy?

Accepted Answer

Tiotropium bromide

Answer

Tiotropium is a once-daily LAMA that provides sustained bronchodilation by blocking M3 muscarinic receptors, used as COPD maintenance therapy.

Question 5

A patient requires nitric oxide (iNO) therapy for pulmonary hypertension. The MOST important monitoring parameter specific to iNO administration is:

Accepted Answer

Methemoglobin levels

Answer

Inhaled nitric oxide oxidizes hemoglobin to methemoglobin, which cannot carry oxygen; methemoglobin levels must be monitored and kept below 5%.

RRT Exam Practice Test

RRT Exam Practice Test

RRT RRT Knowledge 5