CRT Respiratory Exam Prep practice questions and answers 2026. Tap an option to test yourself — you'll see the correct answer and a plain-English explanation for every question. Free, no login.
Q11A respiratory therapist is preparing to administer a bronchodilator via nebulizer. Which of the following is NOT a potential contraindication for this intervention?
✓ Correct answer: A. History of hypertension
Answer: History of hypertension History of hypertension is not a contraindication for administering a bronchodilator via nebulizer. Bronchodilators should be avoided or used with caution in patients with severe tachycardia, acute myocardial infarction, or a history of hypersensitivity to the medication. Severe tachycardia, acute myocardial infarction, and a history of hypersensitivity to medication are potential contraindications as they may exacerbate the patient's condition.
Q12Which of the following particle sizes is recommended for delivering aerosolized medications aimed at the lower respiratory tract?
✓ Correct answer: D. 2-5 µm
Answer: 2-5 µm Particles with a mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) of 2-5 µm are most effective for targeting the lower respiratory tract. Particles of < 0.1 µm will penetrate deeper into the airways and parenchyma, particles of 1-3 µm target the alveolar regions, and particles of 5-50 µm are primarily effective for the upper airways.
Q13Which of the following is NOT a common complication associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation?
✓ Correct answer: C. Improved cardiovascular stability
Answer: Improved cardiovascular stability Prolonged mechanical ventilation is associated with complications such as ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), barotrauma, and muscle atrophy due to disuse. Conversely, mechanical ventilation does not improve cardiovascular stability; it can sometimes impair it by affecting intrathoracic pressures and venous return.
Q14A respiratory therapist is attending to a patient receiving non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV). The patient displays acute shortness of breath accompanied by neck vein distention and tracheal deviation. Which of the following conditions should be suspected?
✓ Correct answer: A. Tension pneumothorax
Answer: Tension pneumothorax Acute shortness of breath, neck vein distention, and tracheal deviation are classic signs of a tension pneumothorax, which requires immediate medical intervention to decompress the affected side. Pulmonary embolism, bronchospasm, and congestive heart failure can present with respiratory distress but are unlikely to cause the combination of symptoms described.
Q15When assessing the asthma control level in a patient, which of the following considerations is important?
✓ Correct answer: D. The peak expiratory flow (PEF) should be measured after the administration of a short-acting bronchodilator.
Answer: The peak expiratory flow (PEF) should be measured after the administration of a short-acting bronchodilator. The peak expiratory flow (PEF) should be measured after the administration of a short-acting bronchodilator when evaluating the patient's asthma control level. This practice helps to determine the effectiveness of the bronchodilator and the patient's current level of airflow obstruction. Peak expiratory flow is not ideally measured at specific times of day without considering medication, nor does the patient's use of daily maintenance medications directly impact the validity of PEF readings.
Q16The respiratory therapist is assisting with the setup of a ventilator for a six-year-old boy. The attending physician is uncertain about the appropriate tidal volume setting for this patient. What tidal volume should the respiratory therapist recommend?
✓ Correct answer: B. 6-8 mL/kg of the patient's ideal body weight
The correct tidal volume setting for a pediatric patient, such as a six-year-old boy, is typically 6-8 mL/kg of the patient's ideal body weight. This range is appropriate for most patients and helps to avoid volutrauma by limiting the volume of air delivered with each ventilator breath. Using a higher range, like 8-10 mL/kg, may be suitable for older children or adolescents, while a lower range, such as 4-6 mL/kg, could be considered for neonates or those with specific lung injuries.
Q17Which of the following is TRUE when a gas mixture at 25°C with a 100% relative humidity is inhaled during mechanical ventilation?
✓ Correct answer: C. This is harmful due to the low temperature and low humidity
Answer: This is harmful due to the low temperature and low humidity Epithelial damage can occur during prolonged exposure of the lower airways to gas that is 25°C at 100% humidity. Although the relative humidity at this temperature is 100%, the absolute humidity is lower at 25°C than it would be at the body's temperature of 37°C. This lower absolute humidity and cooler temperature can harm the respiratory epithelium.
Q18The respiratory therapist is called to assess a 57-year-old female who has developed sudden difficulty breathing and cyanosis. The patient has a history of lung cancer and has just finished a course of chemotherapy. Which of the following conditions should the respiratory therapist recommend that the patient's provider consider?
✓ Correct answer: B. Pulmonary embolism
Answer: Pulmonary embolism Pulmonary embolism is a blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in your lungs. It is often caused by blood clots that travel to the lungs from the legs or other parts of the body (deep vein thrombosis). Factors like cancer and chemotherapy increase the risk of blood clots and subsequent pulmonary embolism. Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs. Cancer metastasis to the lungs would show gradual respiratory decline rather than sudden symptoms. Asthma exacerbation is typically linked with a history of asthma and triggers such as allergies or respiratory infections, not chemotherapy.
Q19A patient is being evaluated for abnormal breath sounds. The respiratory therapist auscultates over the bases of the lungs and hears soft, low-pitched sounds. What is the MOST accurate description of these breath sounds?
✓ Correct answer: D. Vesicular breath sounds
Answer: Vesicular breath sounds Vesicular breath sounds are characterized by their low-pitch and soft-intensity, and are normally auscultated over the bases of the lungs. Tracheal and bronchial breath sounds are loud and high-pitched, typically heard over the trachea. Bronchovesicular breath sounds have a moderate pitch and intensity, usually heard around the upper sternum and between the scapula.
Q20When evaluating a patient's oxygen saturation levels, which method is considered to be the MOST reliable?
✓ Correct answer: C. Use a pulse oximeter to continuously monitor oxygen saturation
Answer: Use a pulse oximeter to continuously monitor oxygen saturation Using a pulse oximeter provides continuous, real-time monitoring of oxygen saturation, making it the most reliable method. Periodic sampling through arterial blood gases can be invasive and may not provide timely data. Checking each hour with a bedside monitor does not offer continual monitoring and can miss fluctuations. Estimating based on visible signs is highly subjective and inaccurate.
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