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RPFT Online Exam

Registry Examination for Advanced Pulmonary Function Technologists

111 questions available ยท Page 1 of 12

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Question 1 Single choice

A patient who is about to begin pulmonary function testing is visibly upset and complains to a pulmonary function technologist that she felt a receptionist was rude to her.

Which of the following should the technologist do?

  1. A

    Try to get the patient to calm down by telling her that the receptionist is probably just having a bad day.

  2. B

    Give the patient time to calm down and ask the laboratory manager to become involved.

  3. C

    Ignore the complaint because it is not going to affect the testing about to begin.

  4. D

    Accompany the patient back to the reception area and try to determine who was at fault.

Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B

Question 2 Single choice

During daily quality control procedures on an infrared CO2 analyzer, a pulmonary function technologist is unable to adjust the gain to the calibration gas concentration.

Which of the following is the most likely explanation?

  1. A

    Water droplets in the sample cell

  2. B

    Saturation of the soda lime

  3. C

    Presence of high levels of oxygen

  4. D

    Increased gas sampling rate

Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A

Question 3 Single choice

Which of the following is an appropriate reason to perform a multiple-breath nitrogen washout test?

  1. A

    Measure anatomical dead space.

  2. B

    Differentiate obstruction from restriction.

  3. C

    Detect early small airway disease.

  4. D

    Measure oxygen consumption.

Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C

Question 4 Single choice

While assessing a patient's expired gases at rest prior to exercise, a pulmonary function technologist calculates the RER as 0.6.

Which of the following is the most likely explanation?

  1. A

    The patient has an elevated VDAVT

  2. B

    A gas analyzer is malfunctioning

  3. C

    The expired gas is contaminated with air

  4. D

    The patient is hyperventilating

Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B

Question 5 Single choice

Which of the following is a suitable policy for following Standard Precautions in a pulmonary function laboratory?

  1. A

    Eye protection is required when obtaining ABGs from patients with hepatitis.

  2. B

    Reusable mouthpieces should be disposed when a patient has a history of tuberculosis.

  3. C

    Gloves are optional when obtaining arterial blood samples using a kit

  4. D

    Reusable mouthpieces should be disinfected between each patient.

Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B

Question 6 Single choice

A 54-year-old male who smokes presents to the pulmonary laboratory for chronic cough and dyspnea on exertion. PFT and blood gas results show the following:

Which of the following should the pulmonary function technologist recommend?

  1. A

    DLco measurement

  2. B

    Oxygen therapy with exercise

  3. C

    Trial of varenicline (Chantix)

  4. D

    Lung volume measurement

Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A

Question 7 Single choice

To check the reliability of a pulse oximeter reading, a pulmonary function technologist should

  1. A

    Calculate the SaO2 from pH and PaO2

  2. B

    Perform hemoximetry

  3. C

    Measure the hematocrit

  4. D

    Have the patient hyperventilate

Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B

Question 8 Single choice

The following results are obtained from an adult male:

The corrected DLco value

  1. A

    is unchanged.

  2. B

    is higher.

  3. C

    is lower.

  4. D

    cannot be calculated.

Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A

Question 9 Single choice

A patient's vital capacity is slightly reduced, the FEWFVC is normal, and the uncorrected DLco is increased.

Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

  1. A

    diffuse pulmonary fibrosis

  2. B

    diaphragmatic hemiparesis

  3. C

    kyphoscoliosis

  4. D

    polycythemia vera

Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: D

Question 10 Single choice

In setting up a CO analyzer, a pulmonary function technologist notices that the analyzer reads -0.03 while sampling air. The technologist should

  1. A

    Accept the reading because it is within ?3%.

  2. B

    Adjust the reading to +0.03.

  3. C

    Adjust the reading to 0.00.

  4. D

    Reverse the sample flow.

Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C