Question 1

Benefits of pursed-lip breathing include that it:
1) stabilizes airways.
2) offsets air trapping on exhalation.
3) generates a better gas mixing breathing pattern.
4) increases the respiratory rate.

A)1
B)2, 3
C)1, 2, 3
D)2, 3, 4

1, 2, 3

Accepted Answer

Pursed-lip breathing helps stabilize the airways, offsets air trapping by slowing down the exhalation process, and promotes better gas exchange by encouraging a more effective breathing pattern. It does not increase the respiratory rate; rather, it helps control it.

Question 2

When would induced hypothermia be indicated?&#10;A) During brain surgery&#10;B) During bowel surgery&#10;C) To break a fever&#10;D) To treat carbon monoxide poisoning

Accepted Answer

Induced hypothermia is often used during brain surgery to protect the brain by reducing its metabolic rate and oxygen demand.

Question 3

Tachypnea may be the result of:&#10;1) hypoxemia.&#10;2) hypothermia.&#10;3) fever.&#10;4) sedation.&#10;A)2, 4&#10;B)1, 3&#10;C)2, 3, 4&#10;D)1, 2, 3

Accepted Answer

Tachypnea, or rapid breathing, can be caused by hypoxemia (low oxygen levels in the blood) and fever, both of which increase the body's demand for oxygen, leading to an increase in respiratory rate to meet this demand. Hypothermia and sedation typically do not cause tachypnea; hypothermia tends to slow down metabolism and thus can slow breathing, while sedation often depresses respiratory drive.

Question 4

The respiratory therapist is monitoring the blood pressure of a patient in the emergency department and notes that the blood pressure is 15 mm Hg less on inspiration than on expiration. Which of the following would most likely result in this finding?

A) The patient is hypovolemic.
B) The patient has a pulmonary embolism.
C) The patient is having a myocardial infarction.
D) The patient is having a severe exacerbation of asthma.

Accepted Answer

This finding is known as pulsus paradoxus, which is often associated with conditions like severe asthma exacerbations where there is increased intrathoracic pressure variation during breathing.

Question 5

While assessing an unconscious patient, the respiratory therapist observes that the patient's breathing becomes progressively faster and deeper and then progressively becomes slower and shallower. After that, there is a period of apnea before the cycle begins again. This breathing pattern would be identified as:

A) Cheyne-Stokes.
B) Tachypnea.
C) Kussmaul.
D) Hyperventilation.

Accepted Answer

Cheyne-Stokes respiration is characterized by a cyclic pattern of breathing where the rate and depth of breathing increase and then decrease until a period of apnea occurs, before the cycle repeats. This pattern matches the description given.

Question 6

A dull percussion note would be heard in which of the following situations?
1) Atelectasis
2) Pleural thickening
3) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
4) Consolidation

A)1, 2
B)3, 4
C)2, 3, 4
D)1, 2, 4

Accepted Answer

A dull percussion note is typically heard in conditions where the lung or pleural space is filled with something other than air, such as fluid or solid tissue. This occurs in atelectasis (collapse of lung tissue), pleural thickening (thickening of the tissue layers surrounding the lungs), and consolidation (solidification of lung tissue due to accumulation of fluid and cells, often seen in pneumonia). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), on the other hand, is characterized by airway obstruction and hyperinflation of the lungs, which would more likely lead to a hyperresonant percussion note rather than a dull one.

Question 7

Coarse crackles are associated with:&#10;1) inspiration typically.&#10;2) air passing through an airway intermittently occluded by mucus.&#10;3) bronchial asthma.&#10;4) expiration typically.&#10;A)2, 4&#10;B)3, 4&#10;C)2, 3, 4&#10;D)1, 2, 3

Accepted Answer

Coarse crackles are sounds heard in the lungs primarily during inspiration, but they can be heard during expiration as well. They are caused by air passing through an airway that is intermittently occluded by mucus, fluid, or other substances. This is different from the wheezing sounds typically associated with bronchial asthma, which are caused by narrowed airways.

Question 8

The respiratory therapist is performing palpation on a patient recently admitted to the medical ward. The therapist notes decreased tactile fremitus over the right lung. Which of the following could most likely be the cause for this physical examination finding?

A) Right-sided atelectasis
B) Right-sided pneumothorax
C) Right-sided pleural effusion
D) Right-sided pleural tumor

Accepted Answer

The answer of The respiratory therapist is performing palpation on...

Question 9

The respiratory therapist is examining a patient in the medical ward and notes that the trachea is deviated to the right. Which of the following may be causing the tracheal deviation to the right?&#10;A) A right-sided tension pneumothorax.&#10;B) A right-sided pleural effusion.&#10;C) A tumor mass on the right.&#10;D) Atelectasis of the right upper lobe.

Accepted Answer

Atelectasis of the right upper lobe can cause the trachea to deviate towards the affected side, which in this case is the right side.

Question 10

A 50-year-old patient would be said to have hypotension when her:&#10;A) blood pressure is 130/90 mm Hg.&#10;B) blood pressure is 85/55 mm Hg.&#10;C) heart rate is 55 bpm.&#10;D) pulse pressure is 40 mm Hg.

Accepted Answer

Hypotension is defined as a blood pressure that is lower than the normal expected for an individual in a given environment. A blood pressure of 85/55 mm Hg is considered low, fitting the criteria for hypotension. The other options do not describe hypotension: A) 130/90 mm Hg is considered prehypertension or high normal, C) a heart rate of 55 bpm can be normal for well-trained athletes and does not indicate blood pressure, and D) a pulse pressure of 40 mm Hg (difference between systolic and diastolic pressure) is within the normal range.

Question 11

A patient comes into the emergency department with a complaint of centrally located, constant chest pain. What is his most likely problem?&#10;A) Pleurisy&#10;B) Myocardial ischemia&#10;C) Pneumothorax&#10;D) Fractured rib

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient comes into the emergency department...

Question 12

Moderate hypoxemia is indicated with an SpO₂ value between ________ and _________. A) 95%; 99% B) 91%; 94% C) 86%; 90% D) 80%; 85%

Accepted Answer

The answer of Moderate hypoxemia is indicated with an SpO₂...

Question 13

A patient with bronchiectasis has a productive cough. Which of the following should the respiratory therapist be evaluating about the patient's sputum?
1) Color
2) Odor
3) Frequency of cough
4) Consistency

A)3
B)1, 2
C)3, 4
D)1, 2, 4

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient with bronchiectasis has a productive...

Question 14

A 50-year-old patient has a heart rate by palpation of 120 bpm. How should this be interpreted?&#10;A) Within the normal range for an adult&#10;B) An error since a stethoscope was not used&#10;C) Bradycardia&#10;D) Tachycardia

Accepted Answer

The answer of A 50-year-old patient has a heart rate...

Deck 2: The Physical Examination