AHPC Licensure Examination — Respiratory Therapy

Sample Respiratory Therapy practice questions

Try these 12 questions from different topics. Open "Show answer" to check yourself and read the explanation.

1. Question 1 · Oxygenation & Pulse Oximetry

   What is the best available bedside method for detecting and monitoring hypoxaemia?

   1. A.Respiratory rate alone
   2. B.Skin colour alone
   3. C.Chest circumference alone
   4. D.Pulse oximetry with attention to signal quality and clinical context
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Pulse oximetry with attention to signal quality and clinical context

   Clinical signs alone may miss hypoxaemia; pulse oximetry provides objective monitoring when the trace is valid.

2. Question 2 · Airway & Ventilatory Support

   A patient has an SpO₂ of 82% with a reliable waveform and severe respiratory distress. What is the priority?

   1. A.Begin appropriate oxygen support and urgent systematic assessment
   2. B.Wait several hours for spontaneous recovery
   3. C.Remove all monitoring
   4. D.Give food before assessing the airway
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Begin appropriate oxygen support and urgent systematic assessment

   Severe hypoxaemia requires prompt oxygen and evaluation of airway, breathing and the underlying cause.

3. Question 3 · Respiratory Infection Prevention

   Which statement about gloves during respiratory care is correct?

   1. A.Gloves may be worn between multiple patients
   2. B.Gloves do not replace hand hygiene
   3. C.Hand hygiene is unnecessary after glove removal
   4. D.The same gloves protect clean respiratory equipment
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Gloves do not replace hand hygiene

   Hand hygiene and correct glove use are complementary parts of standard precautions.

4. Question 4 · Mechanical Ventilation

   Lung-protective ventilation in ARDS uses tidal volumes of about:

   1. A.About 6 mL/kg of predicted body weight
   2. B.12–15 mL/kg of actual body weight to maximise oxygenation
   3. C.2 mL/kg
   4. D.20 mL/kg
   Show answer

   Answer: A. About 6 mL/kg of predicted body weight

   Low tidal volumes reduce ventilator-induced lung injury and mortality.

5. Question 5 · Critical Care & Resuscitation

   In adult basic life support, chest compressions should be delivered at a rate of:

   1. A.60–80 per minute
   2. B.150–180 per minute
   3. C.100–120 per minute
   4. D.40 per minute
   Show answer

   Answer: C. 100–120 per minute

   Depth 5–6 cm, allowing full recoil.

6. Question 6 · Professional Practice in Respiratory Care

   Before performing any respiratory procedure, the therapist must first:

   1. A.Start the procedure quickly to save time
   2. B.Ask the relatives to perform it
   3. C.Turn off all monitors
   4. D.Identify the patient and get consent
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Identify the patient and get consent

   Consent and correct patient identification are basic safety requirements.

7. Question 7 · Home & Long-Term Respiratory Care

   A patient on long-term home oxygen asks how many hours a day to use it. The usual advice is:

   1. A.Only when they feel breathless during exercise
   2. B.At least 15 hours a day, including overnight
   3. C.One hour every morning
   4. D.Only during hospital visits
   Show answer

   Answer: B. At least 15 hours a day, including overnight

   Survival benefit in COPD needs ≥15 hours a day.

8. Question 8 · Arterial Blood Gas Interpretation

   The normal arterial pH range is:

   1. A.7.00–7.20, slightly acidic like most body fluids
   2. B.7.35–7.45
   3. C.7.50–7.65
   4. D.6.80–7.10
   Show answer

   Answer: B. 7.35–7.45

   Below 7.35 is acidaemia; above 7.45 alkalaemia.

9. Question 9 · Aerosol Therapy & Pulmonary Function Testing

   For most patients with acute asthma, a metered-dose inhaler with a spacer is:

   1. A.As effective as a nebuliser for delivering bronchodilators
   2. B.Much less effective than a nebuliser and should never be used
   3. C.Only useful for adults
   4. D.Harmful in children
   Show answer

   Answer: A. As effective as a nebuliser for delivering bronchodilators

   Spacers also reduce aerosol spread compared with nebulisers.

10. Question 10 · Neonatal & Paediatric Respiratory Care

    Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome in preterm babies is caused mainly by:

    1. A.Bacterial infection acquired from the birth canal during labour
    2. B.Surfactant deficiency
    3. C.Meconium aspiration only
    4. D.Cold exposure only
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Surfactant deficiency

    Antenatal corticosteroids, CPAP and surfactant reduce mortality.

11. Question 11 · Respiratory Anatomy & Physiology

    Gas exchange in the lungs takes place mainly in the:

    1. A.Alveoli
    2. B.Trachea and main bronchi
    3. C.Pleural space
    4. D.Larynx
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Alveoli

    Alveoli provide a huge, thin surface for diffusion.

12. Question 12 · Respiratory Pharmacology

    Salbutamol relieves bronchospasm by:

    1. A.Blocking muscarinic receptors in airway smooth muscle
    2. B.Stimulating β₂ receptors to relax airway smooth muscle
    3. C.Reducing airway inflammation over weeks
    4. D.Thinning mucus
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Stimulating β₂ receptors to relax airway smooth muscle

    Common side effects include tremor, tachycardia and low potassium.