Respiratory Therapy Flashcards
7 cards from real RRT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Respiratory Therapy flashcards as text
A patient with myasthenia gravis crisis has a vital capacity of 12 mL/kg. The appropriate action is:
Answer: Initiate intubation and mechanical ventilation
The 20-30-40 rule recommends intubation when VC falls below 20 mL/kg in neuromuscular patients; 12 mL/kg is critical.
Auto-PEEP (intrinsic PEEP) is MOST commonly caused by:
Answer: Insufficient expiratory time leading to air trapping
Auto-PEEP results from incomplete exhalation due to insufficient expiratory time, causing air trapping and dynamic hyperinflation.
Which condition is associated with a decreased DLCO (diffusing capacity) with normal spirometry?
Answer: Pulmonary hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension reduces the pulmonary capillary blood volume available for gas exchange, lowering DLCO despite normal airflow.
The recommended initial tidal volume for lung-protective ventilation in ARDS is:
Answer: 6–8 mL/kg IBW
The ARDSNet protocol recommends 6 mL/kg ideal body weight (IBW) with a goal plateau pressure ≤ 30 cmH2O.
A flow-volume loop shows a fixed flattening of both inspiratory and expiratory limbs. This pattern suggests:
Answer: Fixed upper airway obstruction
Fixed obstruction (e.g., tracheal stenosis) flattens both limbs equally because the lesion does not change size with pressure changes.
When performing nasotracheal suctioning, the catheter should be inserted to what approximate depth in an adult?
Answer: 16–20 cm
The nasotracheal catheter is advanced approximately 16–20 cm past the naris to reach the trachea in most adults.
Which maneuver is used to assess expiratory flow limitation and auto-PEEP during mechanical ventilation?
Answer: Expiratory hold (end-expiratory occlusion)
An expiratory hold occludes the expiratory valve at end-exhalation, allowing trapped pressure (auto-PEEP) to equilibrate and be measured.