Want to test your monitoring knowledge before the CRT exam? Below are free sample flashcards from the 90-card monitoring section of our 1040-card CRT (Certified Respiratory Therapist) deck, which covers CO, Fick Principle, Cardiac Output, PIP and more.
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A patient with COPD is receiving mechanical ventilation. The capnogram displays a shark-fin appearance with a prolonged Phase II and a steep Phase III. What is the most likely cause and immediate intervention?
Show answer →This waveform indicates increased airway resistance or airflow obstruction (bronchospasm). Immediate intervention includes bronchodilator therapy or checking for ETT obstruction. NBRC Strategy: Differentiate this from a Curare Cleft (dip in Phase III). Shark-fin = Obstruction; Cleft = Patient effort. If the patient is wheezing or has high peak pressures, think bronchospasm.\
An RT is assessing a patient wearing dark blue fingernail polish. How will this likely affect the SpO2 reading, and what is the corrective action?
Show answer →Dark colors (blue, black, green) can cause a falsely low SpO2 reading by blocking light transmission. Corrective actions: 1. Remove the polish using an acetone pad. 2. Rotate the probe 90 degrees (side-to-side on the finger). 3. Move the probe to a different site (earlobe, toe). Note: Red polish typically has minimal effect, but dark synthetic nails/gels are significant barriers to accurate readings.
Following a femur fracture, a patient develops sudden dyspnea. Vitals: CVP 15 mmHg, PAP 45/25 mmHg, PCWP 8 mmHg. What is the most likely hemodynamic explanation?
Show answer →Elevated CVP and PAP with a normal PCWP indicates a pulmonary vascular obstruction, most likely a Pulmonary Embolism (PE). The right heart is struggling (high CVP) to push blood through the lungs (high PAP), but the left heart (PCWP) is not receiving enough volume. NBRC Tip: PE is a classic Right Heart Afterload NBRC scenario—look for the gap between PAP and PCWP.
Using the Fick Principle, calculate Cardiac Output (CO) given: VO2 250 mL/min, CaO2 20 vol%, and CvO2 15 vol%.
Show answer →CO = VO2 / [C(a-v)O2 x 10]. Calculation: 250 / [(20 - 15) x 10] = 250 / 50 = 5.0 L/min. NBRC Tip: The factor of 10 converts vol% (mL/100mL) to mL/L. This formula is the gold standard for CO measurement. If the C(a-v)O2 difference increases, it usually indicates a drop in CO (tissue extracting more O2 due to slow flow).
Which clinical condition is most likely to cause a simultaneous increase in both Peak Inspiratory Pressure (PIP) and Plateau Pressure (Pplat), resulting in a decrease in static compliance?
Show answer →ARDS, Atelectasis, Pneumothorax, or Pulmonary Edema. Rationale: A decrease in static compliance (Cst) means the lungs are becoming harder to distend (stiffer). Because Cst = Vt / (Pplat - PEEP), an increase in Pplat (with constant Vt and PEEP) mathematically proves a decrease in compliance. These restrictive conditions affect the lung parenchyma or pleural space, requiring more pressure to achieve the same volume. Clinical Pearl: On the CRT exam, look for sudden increases in both pressures to identify a pneumothorax, versus gradual increases for progressing pneumonia or ARDS.
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Try 30 free CRT cards firstThe full CRT deck contains 1040 flashcards, and 90 of them focus on monitoring. This page shows 5 free samples.
Our CRT deck dedicates 90 of 1040 cards (9%) to monitoring — 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.
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