RT · 16% of the exam
Patient Data practice questions
10 free Patient Data questions for the NBRC Respiratory Therapy Examination (formerly TMC) (RT) exam, each with the correct answer and an explanation for every option.
What this domain covers
Gathering and making sense of patient information: reviewing the record, assessing the patient at the bedside, and performing and interpreting diagnostic tests.
- Exam weight
- 16%
- On a real exam
- ≈ 30 questions
- In our bank
- 98 questions
Topics that come up most
- Arterial blood gas interpretation
- Bedside assessment: breath sounds, vital signs and work of breathing
- Pulmonary function and bedside spirometry results
- Chest imaging and lab values in the patient record
- Oximetry, capnography and ventilator graphics
How to study it
Work through blood gases daily until you can name the acid-base disorder and its compensation in under a minute; gas results feed into questions across every domain.
Sample Patient Data questions
Try each one before opening the answer. Original questions written to the official exam objectives.
Question 1
A patient who received topical benzocaine before bronchoscopy becomes cyanotic. An ABG shows a PaO2 of 240 mm Hg on supplemental O2, and the methemoglobin level is later found to be about 35%. During this episode, a standard two-wavelength pulse oximeter would most likely display:
- AAbout 85%, with little change as FiO2 is increased
- BAbout 65%, matching the fraction of hemoglobin that is not MetHb
- CAbout 99%, matching the SaO2 calculated from the PaO2
- DAbout 92%, rising toward 100% as FiO2 is increased
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A) About 85%, with little change as FiO2 is increased
At MetHb levels of about 30% to 35%, standard pulse oximeters read about 85% whatever the true oxygenation. This produces a saturation gap compared with the SaO2 calculated from the ABG, and CO-oximetry confirms the diagnosis.
- ACorrect. When MetHb is about 30% to 35%, the red/infrared absorbance ratio reaches about 1.0. That ratio corresponds to an SpO2 of about 85%, so the reading stays low even though the PaO2 is high. CO-oximetry is needed to measure MetHb.
- BIncorrect. A conventional oximeter cannot tell MetHb apart from other hemoglobin. At this level its reading settles near 85%, not at a value that tracks the non-MetHb fraction.
- CIncorrect. A blood gas analyzer that calculates SaO2 from PaO2 gives a falsely normal value, but the pulse oximeter reads low. The difference between the two is the saturation gap.
- DIncorrect. The low reading comes from MetHb's light absorbance, not from poor oxygenation, so adding oxygen does not bring the SpO2 back toward normal.
Question 2
What is a normal respiratory rate for a healthy newborn?
- AAbout 12 to 20 breaths per minute
- BAbout 40 to 60 breaths per minute
- CAbout 80 to 100 breaths per minute
- DAbout 5 to 10 breaths per minute
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B) About 40 to 60 breaths per minute
- AIncorrect. That's an adult rate.
- BCorrect. Rates above 60 are tachypnea.
- CIncorrect. That's too fast.
- DIncorrect. That's too slow.
Question 3
Na 140, Cl 100, HCO3 12 mEq/L. The anion gap is:
- A12 mEq/L, which is within the normal range
- B28 mEq/L
- C52 mEq/L
- D40 mEq/L
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B) 28 mEq/L
- AIncorrect. Recheck: 140 − 112 = 28.
- BCorrect. 140 − (100 + 12); this is elevated.
- CIncorrect. Recheck the subtraction.
- DIncorrect. Recheck the subtraction.
Question 4
A large positive fluid balance with new crackles and rising oxygen needs suggests:
- ADehydration with very low intake
- BFluid overload
- CImproving lung function
- DAsthma only
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B) Fluid overload
- AIncorrect. Balance is positive.
- BCorrect. Consider diuresis per the care team.
- CIncorrect. Oxygen needs are rising.
- DIncorrect. It suggests fluid overload.
Question 5
A patient breathing room air at sea level has a PaO2 of 60 mm Hg and PaCO2 of 40 mm Hg. Assuming RQ 0.8, the A-a gradient is about:
- A0 mm Hg
- B10 mm Hg, which would be normal for a young adult
- C90 mm Hg, using the inspired oxygen pressure without the CO2 term
- D40 mm Hg
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D) 40 mm Hg
- AIncorrect. A gradient exists.
- BIncorrect. The gradient here is wider.
- CIncorrect. PAO2 must subtract PaCO2/RQ.
- DCorrect. PAO2 ≈ 150 − (40 ÷ 0.8) = 100, and 100 − 60 = 40.
Question 6
A mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) of 50% suggests:
- ANormal oxygen balance in a healthy adult
- BInadequate oxygen delivery
- CExcess oxygen delivery
- DHyperventilation only
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B) Inadequate oxygen delivery
- AIncorrect. 50% is low.
- BCorrect. Normal is about 60% to 80%.
- CIncorrect. It's low.
- DIncorrect. It reflects oxygen delivery and use.
Question 7
While assessing a patient with fever, pleuritic chest pain and a productive cough, a respiratory therapist notes rust-colored sputum. This finding is classically associated with which condition?
- AKlebsiella pneumoniae pneumonia
- BStreptococcus pneumoniae pneumonia
- CCardiogenic pulmonary edema
- DChronic bronchitis
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B) Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumonia
Rust-colored sputum is the classic finding in pneumococcal (Streptococcus pneumoniae) pneumonia. Currant-jelly sputum suggests Klebsiella, and pink frothy secretions suggest pulmonary edema.
- AIncorrect. Klebsiella pneumonia classically produces thick, bloody 'currant jelly' sputum because of marked tissue necrosis and inflammation, not rust-colored sputum.
- BCorrect. The classic presentation of pneumococcal pneumonia includes dyspnea, cough, pleuritic pain, fever and rust-colored sputum. Sputum color alone is not specific enough to identify the organism, so cultures or other tests are still needed.
- CIncorrect. Cardiogenic pulmonary edema typically produces pink, frothy secretions, not rust-colored sputum.
- DIncorrect. Chronic bronchitis typically produces mucoid (white or gray) sputum, which may turn yellow or green during an exacerbation. It is not associated with rust-colored sputum.
Question 8
Spirometry shows FEV1/FVC of 0.55. This pattern indicates:
- ARestriction with normal airflow
- BObstruction
- CNormal lung function for an adult
- DA diffusion defect only
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B) Obstruction
- AIncorrect. Restriction keeps the ratio normal or high.
- BCorrect. A ratio below 0.70 indicates airflow obstruction.
- CIncorrect. 0.55 is well below normal.
- DIncorrect. That needs DLCO, not FEV1/FVC.
Question 9
A ventilated patient's FiO2 is 0.35 and PEEP 5, with stable vitals, alert, and minimal secretions. The RT should:
- AIncrease sedation
- BScreen for a spontaneous breathing trial
- CIncrease the ventilator rate
- DRaise PEEP to 15 to prevent atelectasis before weaning
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B) Screen for a spontaneous breathing trial
- AIncorrect. That delays weaning.
- BCorrect. The patient may be ready to wean.
- CIncorrect. That isn't needed.
- DIncorrect. That isn't needed.
Question 10
What is a normal deadspace-to-tidal volume ratio (VD/VT) for a healthy adult?
- AAbout 0.9, meaning most of each breath is wasted
- BAbout 0.3
- CAbout 0.01
- DAbout 1.5
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B) About 0.3
- AIncorrect. That's very high.
- BCorrect. It rises with PE and some lung diseases.
- CIncorrect. That's too low.
- DIncorrect. That isn't possible.
Patient Data: FAQs
How much of the RT exam is Patient Data?
Patient Data is 16% of the RT exam by the official exam guide's weighting, which on a 185-question form works out to roughly 30 questions. The real exam's exact split varies by form.
What does the Patient Data domain cover?
Gathering and making sense of patient information: reviewing the record, assessing the patient at the bedside, and performing and interpreting diagnostic tests.
How should I study Patient Data for RT?
Work through blood gases daily until you can name the acid-base disorder and its compensation in under a minute; gas results feed into questions across every domain.
Where can I practise more Patient Data questions?
This page has 10 free Patient Data questions with answers. The ExamWize RT question bank has 98 questions in this domain. Every practice exam result breaks your score down by domain, and Review Mode re-drills the questions you missed.
Get Patient Data exam-ready
The full RT bank has 98 Patient Data questions. Timed practice exams match the real exam's length and domain weights, every result shows your score per domain, and Review Mode re-drills the questions you missed.
Not affiliated with NBRC; questions are original, written from the official exam outline, and never copied from the real exam.