Preparing for the CRT (Certified Respiratory Therapist) exam? Assessment is one of the areas our deck drills hardest: 110 of its 1040 flashcards focus on assessment, covering topics like Transtheoretical Model. Try the sample questions below — every card is a real question-and-answer pair from the full deck.
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A patient reports smoking 1.5 packs of cigarettes daily for 20 years, then 0.5 packs daily for the last 10 years. What is the total pack-year history, and why is this value critical for NBRC assessment?
Show answer →Calculation: (1.5 x 20) + (0.5 x 10) = 35 pack-years. NBRC emphasizes pack-years to quantify COPD and lung cancer risk. Clinical Pearl: 1 pack = 20 cigarettes. Strategy: If the patient uses pipes or cigars, it is usually not calculated in pack-years unless specifically asked for cigarette equivalents. For the CRT exam, focus on the cigarette calculation as a primary risk marker for obstructive disease and eligibility for low-dose CT screening.
A patient with a BMI of 36, neck circumference of 18 inches, and frequent daytime sleepiness is being evaluated. Which screening tool is most appropriate for the RT to use in the initial history, and what specific score indicates high risk?
Show answer →The STOP-BANG questionnaire is the gold standard for OSA screening. Components: Snoring, Tiredness, Observed apnea, Pressure (BP), BMI (>35), Age (>50), Neck (>16in/40cm), Gender (Male). A score of 5-8 indicates high risk for OSA. NBRC Exam Tip: Recognize that Neck circumference and BMI are disproportionately weighted in clinical suspicion. High-risk patients require a referral for a Polysomnogram (PSG).
During a history, a patient reports needing three pillows to sleep comfortably at night to avoid shortness of breath. How should the RT document this finding, and what underlying pathology does it most likely suggest?
Show answer →This is documented as Orthopnea (specifically 3-pillow orthopnea). It is a hallmark sign of Left-Sided Heart Failure or Congestive Heart Failure (CHF). As the patient lies flat, venous return increases, which the failing left ventricle cannot handle, leading to pulmonary congestion. NBRC Focus: Distinguish orthopnea from Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea (PND), which is sudden gasping for air that wakes the patient from sleep. Both point to cardiac etiology.
A 55-year-old patient presents with a persistent, non-productive cough but has no history of smoking, wheezing, or fever. They recently started medication for hypertension. Which medication class is the most likely cause, and why?
Show answer →ACE Inhibitors (e.g., Lisinopril) are a common cause of drug-induced dry cough due to the accumulation of bradykinin in the upper airways. Exam Strategy: When a patient presents with a new cough and no signs of infection or obstruction, always check the medication history for prils. Distractor: Beta-blockers typically cause bronchospasm/wheezing in asthmatics, not a dry, hacking cough. Identifying this avoids unnecessary diagnostic testing.
An RT asks a patient with COPD about their smoking habits. The patient states, I know smoking is bad for me and I've been thinking about quitting next month. According to the Transtheoretical Model, what stage of change is this?
Show answer →This is the Contemplation stage. The patient recognizes the problem and is considering change but has not yet made a firm commitment. Stages: 1. Pre-contemplation (no intent), 2. Contemplation (considering), 3. Preparation (plan to quit within 30 days), 4. Action (actively quitting), 5. Maintenance. NBRC Tip: Identifying the stage determines the intervention. Contemplators need education on benefits; those in Preparation need a quit date.
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Try 30 free CRT cards firstThe full CRT deck contains 1040 flashcards, and 110 of them focus on assessment. This page shows 5 free samples.
Our CRT deck dedicates 110 of 1040 cards (11%) to assessment — always cross-check the official NBRC exam outline for the current blueprint weighting.
Yes — the samples on this page are free, and the CRT preview page has 30 more free cards. Full access to all 1040 cards is a one-time $7.
Basics
70 cards
Diagnostics
210 cards
Management
140 cards
Monitoring
90 cards
Pathology
80 cards
Pharmacology
90 cards
Procedures
220 cards
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