Kettering Practice Exam - Notable Questions

Question 1

Equipment Operation:

Pneumotachometers can provide an accurate means for documenting flowrate if which of the following conditions are met?

1. The same pressure and gas composition used for calibration of the device are used for measurements.
2. The device is calibrated according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
3. The device is properly cleaned and maintained.

A.1 and 3 only
B.2 and 3 only
C.2 only
D.1, 2, and 3

Answer 1

D.1, 2, and 3

Question 2

Equipment Operation:

The primary operational difference between a flow-type and pressure-type plethysmograph is measurement of

A.box pressure.
B.mouth pressure.
C.box volume.
D.Raw and Gaw.

Answer 2

A. box pressure

Question 3

Lung Testing:

Pulmonary function studies on a 29-year-old male patient with no history of lung disease reveal the following results:

 	ACTUAL	PREDICTED
FVC (L)	4.90	5.0
FEV1(L/sec)	3.40	4.0
FEF25-75% (L/sec)	4.05	4.50
FRC (L)	2.64	2.20
TLC (L)	6.67	5.80
DLCO (mL CO/min/mm Hg)	25	25

The pulmonary function technologist should interpret these results as

A.normal pulmonary function tests.

B.the increased FRC indicates that the patient has significant air-trapping.

C.the increased FRC indicates that “switch-in” occurred above end-tidal expiration.

D.the FVC is invalid and is not consistent with the FRC values.

Answer 3

C.the increased FRC indicates that “switch-in” occurred above end-tidal expiration.

Question 4

Equipment Operation:

Which of the following types of breathing valve should be used when performing a single-breath CO diffusion study?

A.One-way directional
B.Two-way nonrebreathing
C.Electronic solenoids
D.Free-breathing

Answer 4

C.Electronic solenoids

Question 5

Exercise Testing:

The following pattern is observed on the ECG monitor while a patient performs an incremental stress test:

See “Practice Exam - Question 21” image

The pulmonary function technologist should

A.terminate the stress test.

B.administer a beta blocker.

C.initiate oxygen therapy via nasal cannula.

D.continue the test and monitor the patient closely.

Answer 5

D.continue the test and monitor the patient closely.

Question 6

Lung Testing:

The following input/output signal response curve was recorded with a Fleisch pneumotach prior to measurement of Raw in a body plethysmograph:

See “Practice Exam - Question 25” image

This curve is best described as an example of

A.excessive effort.
B.underdamping.
C.overdamping.
D.alinearity.

Answer 6

A. excessive effort.

Question 7

Exercise Testing:

The following ECG pattern is observed during a cardiopulmonary exercise stress test using a cycle ergometer:

See: “Practice Exam - Question 28” image

The technologist should interpret this rhythm as

A.myocardial infarction.
B.premature ventricular contraction.
C.ischemia/injury.
D.normal sinus.

Answer 7

B. premature ventricular contraction

Question 8

Exercise Testing:

While performing a multi-stage exercise stress test, the patient’s heart rate does not increase normally and the test is stopped after 3 minutes because of marked dyspnea and fatigue. This response would be associated with all of the following conditions EXCEPT

A.sympatholytic drug use.
B.complete heart block.
C.myocardial ischemia.
D.poor conditioning.

Answer 8

D. poor conditioning

Question 9

Spirometry:

While performing an MVV maneuver, the patient begins to complain of light-headedness and tingling in her fingers. The pulmonary function technologist should associate these findings with

A.bronchodilator toxicity.
B.myocardial infarction.
C.respiratory alkalosis.
D.impedance of venous return.

Answer 9

C. respiratory alkalosis

Question 10

Equipment Operation:

Which of the following will result if a mylar membrane is used on a Clark electrode?

A.Proper diffusion of carbon dioxide

B.Insufficient diffusion of carbon dioxide

C.Insufficient pH change of electrolyte

D.Insufficient current flow

Answer 10

D. Insufficient current flow

Question 11

Lung Testing:

If a patient’s airways resistance is reported to be 0.8 cm H20/L/sec, what is the patient’s conductance?

A.0.4 L/sec/cm H20
B.0.8 L/sec/cm H20
C.1.25 L/sec/cm H20
D.2.50 L/sec/cm H20

Answer 11

C.1.25 L/sec/cm H20

Question 12

Equipment Operation:

Which of the following analyzers requires a carrier gas of helium or neon?

A.Gas chromatograph
B.Mass spectrometer
C.Infrared absorption
D.Thermal conductivity

Answer 12

A. Gas chromatograph

Question 13

Equipment Operation:

The partial pressure of oxygen in a gas mixture is measured by all of the following EXCEPT

A.gas chromatograph.
B.clark electrode.
C.polarographic.
D.fuel cell.

Answer 13

A. gas chromatograph

Question 14

Lung Testing:

The normal value for the DLCO is

A. 25 mL CO/min/mm Hg BTPS

B. 25 mL CO/min/cm H2O BTPS

C. 25 mL CO/min/cm H2O STPD

D. 25 mL CO/min/mm Hg STPD

Answer 14

D. 25 mL CO/min/mm Hg STPD

25 “mm Hg”

DLCO is always STPD

Question 15

Equipment Operation

The best method for disinfection of pulmonary function breathing hoses and mouth pieces is

A. ethylene oxide.
B. steam autoclave.
C. glutaraldehyde.
D. ethyl alcohol.

Answer 15

C. gluteraldehyde

Question 16

Spirometry:

See: “Practice Exam - Question 58” image

Conversion Factor is 1.068

Which of the following should be reported for the FVC?

A. 3.36 liters
B. 3.60 liters
C. 3.74 liters
D. 4.08 liters

Answer 16

C. 3.74 lters

Question 17

Spirometry:

The results of a patient’s pulmonary function studies are as follows:

 	% OF PREDICTED
FVC	80%
FEF25-75%	40%
DLCO	95%
FEV1/FVC	62%

Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

A.Chronic bronchitis
B.Silicosis
C.Emphysema
D.Kyphoscoliosis

Answer 17

A. Chronic bronchitis

Your choices came down to 2 obstructive diseases due to the FEV1/FVC ratio of 62% (indicating obstruction)

The DLCO was close to normal (95% of predicted)

Remember that emphysema decreases DLCO while other obstructive diseases do not.

Since DLCO is not decreased, the answer is Chronic Bronchitis

Question 18

Quality Assurance:

Proper calibration of gas analyzers must consider

1. physiologic range.
2. sampling conditions.
3. linearity.

A.1 and 2 only
B.2 and 3 only
C.1 and 3 only
D.1, 2 and 3

Answer 18

D. 1, 2, and 3

Question 19

Exercise Testing:

Prior to performing an oxygen titration test during exercise, the pulmonary function technologist measures the patient’s SpO2 at rest and observes a reading of 87%. The technologist should

A. contact the physician for further instructions.

B. perform an oxygen titration test at rest.

C. administer oxygen by nasal cannula at 2 L/min.

D. continue with the exercise oxygen titration test.

Answer 19

B. perfrom an oxygen titration test at rest.

Question 20

Spirometry:

See: “Practice Exam - Question 87”

The conversion factor for the image is 1.080

The pulmonary function technologist should report the FEV1 as

A. 2.45 liters
B. 2.69 liters
C. 3.51 liters
D. 3.79 liters

Answer 20

B. 2.69 liters

Question 21

Exercise Testing:

Which of the following instructions should be given to the patient prior to performing a stress test with a treadmill?

1. Do not rest on the handrails
2. Stand up straight on the treadmill
3. Avoid eating just prior to the test

A. 1 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 2 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer 21

D. 1, 2, and 3

Question 22

Equipment Operation:

Before a water-seal spirometer is used, the most appropriate way to check for leaks is to

A. add water to the reservoir.

B. add a known volume with a syringe.

C. place a weight on the bell and check the pen movement for 5 minutes.

D. apply a known constant flow for 5 minutes.

Answer 22

C. place a weight on the bell and check the pen movement for 5 minutes.

Question 23

Spirometry:

When performing pulmonary function tests on a child, which of the following would provide the best data for determining flow rates?

A. FEV 0.5
B. FVC
C. SVC
D. FEV 1.0

Answer 23

A. FEV 0.5