RRT RRT MCQ 2

Question 1

A patient with ARDS has a PaO2 of 55 mmHg on FiO2 0.80. Which ventilator strategy is MOST appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Apply permissive hypercapnia with low tidal volumes

Answer

Lung-protective ventilation in ARDS uses low tidal volumes (6 mL/kg IBW) and accepts permissive hypercapnia to minimize ventilator-induced lung injury.

Question 2

Which acid-base disorder is associated with hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis?

Accepted Answer

Diuretic use causing chloride depletion

Answer

Loop and thiazide diuretics cause loss of chloride, hydrogen, and potassium ions, resulting in hypochloremic hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis.

Question 3

When performing a helium-oxygen (heliox) therapy, which condition benefits MOST?

Accepted Answer

Upper airway obstruction causing turbulent flow

Answer

Heliox reduces gas density, converting turbulent to laminar flow, which is most beneficial in upper airway obstructions such as croup or post-extubation stridor.

Question 4

A mechanically ventilated patient has sudden increase in peak airway pressure with no change in plateau pressure. The MOST likely cause is:

Accepted Answer

Bronchospasm

Answer

An increase in peak pressure with unchanged plateau pressure indicates increased airway resistance, most commonly from bronchospasm or secretion buildup in the airway.

Question 5

A patient has PaO2 60 mmHg, PaCO2 50 mmHg, pH 7.32, HCO3 25 mEq/L on room air. What is the MOST likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Acute respiratory acidosis without compensation

Answer

A normal bicarbonate with low pH and elevated PaCO2 indicates acute respiratory acidosis with no renal compensation yet.

RRT Exam Practice Test

RRT Exam Practice Test

RRT RRT MCQ 2