Fundamentals of Respiratory Therapy – Prelim Review

A comprehensive set of question-and-answer flashcards covering historical milestones, key technologies, professional regulations, clinical competencies, and Philippine-specific laws relevant to respiratory therapy.

What is the primary goal of the health-care discipline known as Respiratory Care?

Promotion of optimal cardiopulmonary function and health.

Respiratory care practitioners are more commonly called __.

Respiratory Therapists (RTs).

Which global trend refers to the spread of the RT profession beyond North America since the 1990s?

Globalization of respiratory care.

What year did Ivan Magill introduce soft rubber endotracheal tubes enabling blind nasal intubation?

1930.

Which 1928 invention by Drinker provided negative-pressure ventilation for polio patients?

The iron lung.

Name the first professional association for the field of respiratory care founded in 1947.

Inhalational Therapy Association (ITA).

The ITA eventually became which current professional body?

American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC).

What ventilator, introduced in 1967, ushered in the modern age of mechanical ventilatory support in ICUs?

The Bennett MA-1 volume ventilator.

Which electrode combination, developed in 1967, allowed rapid blood-gas analysis?

Combined pH-Clark-Severinghaus electrode.

What device introduced in the late 1960s allows measurement of arterial oxygen saturation non-invasively?

The Clark electrode led to pulse oximetry; pulse oximeter widely used by 1980s.

Which ventilator feature, described in 1969, helps keep alveoli open at end-expiration?

Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP).

Who first advocated mouth-to-mouth resuscitation for drowning victims in 1744?

John Fothergill.

What is defined as the administration of liquid or powdered particles via inhalation for therapeutic effect?

Aerosol therapy.

Which bronchodilator was introduced in 1980 for short-acting relief?

Albuterol sulfate.

What term describes volume of air that can be inhaled in a single deep breath, first measured in 1679?

Vital capacity (VC).

Which 1846 invention by Hutchinson was crucial for measuring vital capacity?

Water-seal spirometer.

What does ARDS stand for, first described in 1969?

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Which catheter, introduced in 1970, measures pulmonary artery pressures?

Swan-Ganz catheter.

What year did President Reagan proclaim National Respiratory Care Week?

1982.

Which organization accredits U.S. respiratory care education programs today?

Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).

Define spirometry.

Measurement of air entering and leaving the lungs, especially forced airflow and volumes.

Name two general instrument types used in pulmonary function testing.

Volume-measuring devices (spirometers) and flow-measuring devices (pneumotachometers).

What Philippine law regulates the practice of Respiratory Therapy?

Republic Act 10024 – Philippine Respiratory Therapy Act of 2009.

What professional suffix may Filipino registered RTs use after passing the licensure exam?

RTRP (Respiratory Therapist Registered in the Philippines).

Which Filipino college first offered a BS in Respiratory Therapy program?

Perpetual Help College (1987).

What is the physiologic basis for oxygen therapy clarified by Bert in 1878?

Lack of oxygen causes hyperventilation.

Which device, introduced in 1960, delivered fixed low FIO₂ (24–40%)?

Campbell Ventimask.

What portable home oxygen development appeared in the 1970s?

Portable liquid oxygen systems and later oxygen concentrators.

Which noninvasive ventilation device did Respironics introduce in 1988?

BiPAP (bilevel positive airway pressure) device.

Which infection is the most common complication of invasive mechanical ventilation?

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).

Name the 1950s treatment in which early Bird and Bennett ventilators could sense patient effort.

Assist ventilation (later Assist/Control).

What does CPAP stand for and who introduced it in 1971?

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure; introduced by Gregory.

Which CDC publication in 1994 focused on preventing a mechanical-ventilation complication?

Guidelines for prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia.

What mode of ventilation described by Kirby and Downs in 1973 allows spontaneous breathing between mandatory breaths?

Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation (IMV).

List three core competencies future RTs must master.

Any three: diagnostic, chronic disease management, evidence-based practice/protocols, patient assessment, leadership, emergency & critical care, therapeutics.

Which negative-pressure wrap ventilator was introduced in 1950?

The Cuirass or wrap ventilator.

What is the purpose of a ‘Murphy eye’ on a suction catheter?

Side hole that helps maintain suction if tip becomes occluded.

Which 1984 ventilator was among the first microprocessor-controlled systems?

Bennett 7200 ventilator.

Identify the three electrodes used in ABG analyzers and their measured parameters.

Clark electrode – PO₂; Severinghaus electrode – PCO₂; Sanz electrode – pH.

What is capnography?

Graphic display of CO₂ levels vs. time during breathing.

What does SpO₂ represent?

Arterial oxygen saturation estimated by pulse oximetry.

Give two causes of inaccurate pulse-ox readings.

Poor perfusion, motion, nail polish, dark skin, ambient light, abnormal hemoglobin forms, saturation <80% (any two).

What is the recommended site for capillary blood sampling in infants <1 month old?

Posterior medial or lateral curvature of the heel.

Which airway device has two lumens for independent lung ventilation, introduced in 1940?

Double-lumen Carlen tube.

Which 1880 physician reported successful oral endotracheal intubation?

MacEwen.

Who developed the first laryngoscope to aid intubation in 1913?

Jackson.

What is the primary analyte measured by a Clark polarographic electrode?

Partial pressure of oxygen (PO₂).

Which year saw the first registered respiratory therapist (RRT) credential awarded?

1961 (Jerry Jenn).

What is the function of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)?

Keeps alveoli open at end-exhalation to improve oxygenation and prevent collapse.

Which organization administers RT credentialing exams in the U.S.?

National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).

Define aerosol therapy.

Delivery of liquid or powdered aerosol particles by inhalation for therapeutic effect.

Which long-acting bronchodilators were introduced in the late 1990s?

Twice-daily agents for COPD maintenance (e.g., salmeterol, formoterol).

What is the gold-standard test for gas-exchange assessment?

Arterial blood gas (ABG) sampling.

Which 1968 device made visualization of airways for suctioning or biopsies easier?

Fiberoptic bronchoscope.

What Philippine proclamation designates Respiratory Care Week?

Proclamation No. 207 – third week of July.

Which noninvasive monitor measures transcutaneous PO₂ and PCO₂?

Transcutaneous blood-gas monitor.

Name two specialized sections within the AARC.

Adult acute care, Neonatal/pediatrics, Diagnostics, Education, Home care, Long-term care, Management, Sleep, Surface & air transport (any two).

What is BLB mask and its WW II purpose?

Boothby, Lovelace, Bulbulian mask delivering 80–100% O₂ to pilots; later used for patients.

Which form of ventilation was first used during anesthesia before being adapted to wards?

Positive-pressure ventilation.

What are the two main parts of a stethoscope chest piece and their sound ranges?

Diaphragm (high-pitched breath sounds) and bell (low-frequency heart sounds).

Which term refers to the measurement of CO₂ in exhaled gas at the end of expiration?

End-tidal CO₂ (PetCO₂).

What is the preferred arterial puncture site for ABG sampling?

Radial artery.

List three supplies required for percutaneous ABG sampling.

Gloves, pre-heparinized syringe, 20–22 gauge needle, alcohol swab, gauze, bandage (any three).

What is the main advantage of noninvasive monitoring over frequent ABGs?

Continuous assessment with less patient discomfort and lower infection risk.

Which Philippine hospital first offered respiratory services?

Veterans Hospital.

Define pneumotachometer.

Flow-measuring device that calculates gas flow rates for PFT.

Who developed the Servo 900 ventilator introduced in 1972?

Siemens.

What is the minimal SpO₂ low-alarm setting recommended for continuous adult monitoring?

88–92%.

Which early 20th-century device was the first commercial positive-pressure ventilator for resuscitation?

Drager Pulmotor (1911).

What does IMV stand for, and what is its key feature?

Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation – allows spontaneous breaths between mandatory ones.

What laboratory test parameter introduced by Tiffeneau in 1948 assesses obstructive disease?

Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁).

Which 1938 advancement allowed diluted oxygen delivery via a meter mask?

Barach meter mask.

What 1998 change did the NBRC make to entry-level credential terminology?

Renamed technician credential to Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT).

What is the Hering-Breuer reflex discovered in 1868?

Lung inflation/deflation reflex influencing breathing rate.

Which U.S. trial begun by NIH studied oxygen use in COPD with mild hypoxemia?

Long-Term Oxygen Treatment Trial (LOTT).

Which device introduced in 1988 allows noninvasive bilevel pressure ventilation at home?

Respironics BiPAP.

State one key point to remember before recording a pulse-ox reading.

Confirm adequate pulse signal and allow sensor sufficient response time.

What Filipino act created the Professional Regulatory Board of Respiratory Therapy?

Republic Act 10024, Article II.

What minimum general average is required to pass the Philippine RT licensure exam?

75% with no subject below 60%.

Name three subjects covered in the Philippine RT licensure examination.

Any three: Patient Assessment & ECG, Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology, Neonatal/Peds RT, Mechanical Ventilation, Acid-Base & ABG Interpretation, Airway Care, PFT, Pulmonary Rehab, Oxygen Therapy.

What is the maximum term (in years) a member may serve on the Philippine RT Board?

Six years (two consecutive 3-year terms).

Which year did mechanical ventilators start incorporating microprocessors widely?

1980s.

Which diagnostic imaging skill is expected of RTs when reviewing chest x-rays?

Identify pneumothorax, consolidation, tube/catheter positions, etc.

What does the bell chest piece of a stethoscope primarily transmit?

Low-frequency sounds like heart tones.

Define tissue oxygen monitoring.

Measurement of partial pressure of oxygen within tissues using implanted probes.

What is the difference between capnometry and capnography?

Capnometry measures CO₂ concentration; capnography graphically displays it over time.

Which 1951 bronchodilator followed isoproterenol for asthma treatment?

Isoetharine.

What three electrodes form the basis of a typical ABG analyzer measuring chamber?

Clark (PO₂), Severinghaus (PCO₂), Sanz (pH).

Which organization promotes respiratory care worldwide and offers U.S. fellowships to foreign clinicians?

International Council for Respiratory Care (ICRC).

What critical reflex involving lung inflation was described by Hering and Breuer?

Hering-Breuer inflation reflex.

Who developed the water-seal spirometer in 1846?

John Hutchinson.

What is the main purpose of a rocking bed (introduced 1950) in respiratory support?

Augment ventilation by shifting abdominal contents to aid breathing.

What major disease identified in 1979 increased infection-control importance for RTs?

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

Which ventilator, launched in 1991, represented the next generation of Servo devices?

Servo 300.