Free HPTC National Respiratory Therapy Examination Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the HPTC National Respiratory Therapy Examination practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1An adult's endotracheal cuff needs reassessment because a leak is suspected. Which method gives the most accurate cuff-pressure measurement?

   1. A.Assess the fullness of the pilot balloon by touch.
   2. B.Measure pressure with an analog or digital manometer.Correct answer: B
   3. C.Estimate pressure using the minimal leak technique.
   4. D.Estimate pressure using minimal occlusive volume.

   Explanation: The source states, "These are inaccurate when compared to analog or digital pressure manometers." Palpation, minimal leak, and minimal occlusive volume are the estimates discussed immediately before this statement; a manometer directly measures the cuff pressure.

   Reference: AARC Clinical Practice Guideline: Patient-Ventilator Assessment — p. 1051, Cuffs and Cuff Pressures

2. 2After smoke exposure, an adult may have carbon-monoxide poisoning despite an apparently reassuring pulse-oximeter reading. Which laboratory measurement best assesses the suspected dyshemoglobin?

   1. A.Calculated arterial oxygen saturation
   2. B.Measured carboxyhemoglobin by hemoximetryCorrect answer: B
   3. C.Measured arterial oxygen tension
   4. D.Calculated arterial oxygen content

   Explanation: "Hemoximetry is recommended to determine the impact of dyshemoglobins on oxygenation." Hemoximetry directly quantifies carboxyhemoglobin. Calculated saturation and oxygen content do not quantify the abnormal hemoglobin species, and PaO2 measures dissolved oxygen.

   Reference: AARC Clinical Practice Guideline: Blood Gas Analysis and Hemoximetry — p. 1694, recommendations

3. 3An adult with acute reversible bronchospasm has an order for an inhaled, short-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist. Which medication matches that order?

   1. A.Budesonide
   2. B.Tiotropium
   3. C.SalbutamolCorrect answer: C
   4. D.Montelukast

   Explanation: Health Canada — VENTOLIN Respirator Solution monograph states: "Salbutamol produces bronchodilation through stimulation of beta2-adrenergic receptors in bronchial smooth muscle, thereby causing relaxation of bronchial muscle fibres." Salbutamol provides the requested beta2-mediated bronchodilation; the other agents are respectively a corticosteroid, antimuscarinic, and leukotriene receptor antagonist.

   Reference: Health Canada — VENTOLIN Respirator Solution monograph — 10.1 Mechanism of Action

4. 4In Ontario, a capable adult agreed to a nonurgent respiratory treatment yesterday but clearly withdraws consent before today's session. What should govern the RT's decision to proceed?

   1. A.The written consent obtained yesterday remains controlling.
   2. B.The present withdrawal prevents proceeding on yesterday's consent.Correct answer: B
   3. C.The prescriber's continuing order replaces the withdrawn consent.
   4. D.The family's agreement preserves the earlier treatment consent.

   Explanation: CRTO — Responsibilities Under Consent Legislation: Consent states: "consent may be withdrawn at any time" A capable patient's present withdrawal controls. A prior form, a clinical order or family approval does not substitute for the patient's current consent.

   Reference: CRTO — Responsibilities Under Consent Legislation: Consent — Implied and Expressed Consent, withdrawal

5. 5An RT sustains a percutaneous injury from an arterial-sampling needle contaminated with a patient's blood. Which infection is a recognized blood-borne risk of this exposure?

   1. A.Influenza
   2. B.Pertussis
   3. C.Hepatitis CCorrect answer: C
   4. D.Measles

   Explanation: CCOHS — Needlestick and Sharps Injuries states: "Concerns include the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which leads to AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), hepatitis B, and hepatitis C." Hepatitis C is a blood-borne infection relevant to contaminated needlestick injury. The other infections primarily spread through respiratory routes rather than representing this blood-borne exposure category.

   Reference: CCOHS — Needlestick and Sharps Injuries — What are the hazards of needlestick and sharps injuries?

6. 6An RT reviews an adult's endotracheal cuff pressure to balance microaspiration risk against tracheal injury. Which pressure range is identified for this purpose?

   1. A.5–10 cm H2O
   2. B.10–15 cm H2O
   3. C.20–30 cm H2OCorrect answer: C
   4. D.40–50 cm H2O

   Explanation: The source states, "Appropriate cuff pressure to reduce microaspiration and tracheal injury has been identified as 20–30 cm H2O." The specified range balances the seal against pressure-related injury; the other intervals are outside it.

   Reference: AARC Clinical Practice Guideline: Patient-Ventilator Assessment — p. 1051, PICO 4, cuff pressure

7. 7An RT needs a blood-gas measurement that directly evaluates systemic arterial oxygenation in an acutely hypoxaemic adult. Which specimen is most appropriate?

   1. A.Peripheral venous blood
   2. B.Arterialized capillary blood
   3. C.Arterial bloodCorrect answer: C
   4. D.Central venous blood

   Explanation: "Arterialized capillary samples and central venous samples may be adequate to assess pH and PCO2 in hemodynamically stable patients, but may underestimate patient oxygenation." An arterial specimen directly provides PaO2. The alternative sample sources can address other questions but are not interchangeable measurements of arterial oxygenation.

   Reference: AARC Clinical Practice Guideline: Blood Gas Analysis and Hemoximetry — p. 1696, BGA 6.1.8

8. 8A hospitalized adult with COPD requires supplemental oxygen. Using the AARC acute-care oxygen guideline, which SpO2 target range should the RT use for this patient?

   1. A.88–92%Correct answer: A
   2. B.90–94%
   3. C.92–96%
   4. D.94–98%

   Explanation: AARC — Management of Adult Patients With Oxygen in the Acute Care Setting states: "aim for SpO2 range of 94–98% for most hospitalized patients (88– 92% for those with COPD)" The COPD-specific target is 88–92%; the higher general inpatient range does not control this patient's target.

   Reference: AARC — Management of Adult Patients With Oxygen in the Acute Care Setting — Abstract, recommendation 1

9. 9An Ontario RT is assessing consent for a nonemergency treatment in a 15-year-old. What determines whether this patient can personally consent under the HCCA?

   1. A.Whether the patient has reached the age of 16
   2. B.Whether a parent is present for the discussion
   3. C.Whether the patient has capacity for this treatmentCorrect answer: C
   4. D.Whether the patient has previously received this treatment

   Explanation: CRTO — Responsibilities Under Consent Legislation: Consent states: "The HCCA does not identify an age at which an individual may give or withhold consent." The assessment concerns understanding and appreciation, not a fixed birthday, parental presence or previous treatment experience.

   Reference: CRTO — Responsibilities Under Consent Legislation: Consent — Age of Consent

10. 10After respiratory care, an RT removes gloves and sees visible body-fluid soil on the hands. Which hand-hygiene method should be used?

    1. A.Wash with soap and running water.Correct answer: A
    2. B.Rub with an alcohol-based hand gel.
    3. C.Clean with an antiseptic hand wipe.
    4. D.Apply a waterless surgical hand antiseptic.

    Explanation: "Hand washing with soap and running water must be performed whenever hands are visibly soiled." Soap and water physically remove visible soil. Alcohol rubs, antiseptic wipes and waterless surgical antiseptics are genuine hand-decontamination products but do not replace the specified washing step for visibly soiled hands.

    Reference: IPAC Canada — Hand Hygiene — When should soap and water be used?