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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

  1. A patient is prescribed heliox (70% He / 30% O2) for severe upper airway obstruction. The PRIMARY benefit of helium in this mixture is:

    Answer: Reduced gas density improving flow through narrow airways

    Helium's low density reduces turbulent flow resistance in obstructed upper airways, improving gas delivery until definitive treatment.

  2. During neonatal resuscitation, what initial FiO2 is recommended for term infants?

    Answer: 0.21 (room air)

    Current NRP guidelines recommend starting resuscitation of term neonates with room air (FiO2 0.21) and titrating based on pre-ductal SpO2 targets.

  3. Which spirometric pattern is characteristic of a patient with pulmonary fibrosis?

    Answer: Normal FEV1/FVC ratio with reduced TLC and FVC

    Restrictive diseases like pulmonary fibrosis reduce all lung volumes (TLC, FVC) while preserving or increasing the FEV1/FVC ratio.

  4. A patient receiving aerosolized pentamidine for PCP prophylaxis should be treated in:

    Answer: A negative-pressure isolation room

    Aerosolized pentamidine can activate latent TB; treatments should occur in negative-pressure rooms to prevent environmental contamination.

  5. Plateau pressure minus total PEEP (intrinsic + extrinsic) equals:

    Answer: Driving pressure

    Driving pressure (ΔP) = Plateau pressure − total PEEP, reflecting the stress applied to the respiratory system with each breath; ΔP > 15 cmH2O is associated with increased ARDS mortality.

  6. A patient in the ICU has a pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) of 22 mmHg and bilateral infiltrates. This presentation is MOST consistent with:

    Answer: Cardiogenic pulmonary edema

    PCWP > 18 mmHg with bilateral infiltrates indicates cardiogenic (hydrostatic) pulmonary edema, distinguishing it from ARDS (PCWP ≤ 18 mmHg).

  7. Which oxygen delivery device provides the MOST precise and consistent FiO2 regardless of the patient's breathing pattern?

    Answer: Venturi mask

    The Venturi (air-entrainment) mask uses fixed jet orifices to entrain a precise air-to-oxygen ratio, delivering consistent FiO2 independent of inspiratory flow.