These CRT practice questions target pharmacology — including Respiratory Therapist, Striverdi Respimat, Alvesco, Cayston. The complete CRT deck holds 1040 flashcards, 90 of them dedicated to this topic. Study the free samples below, then unlock the whole collection for a one-time $7.
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During an SVN treatment with 2.5mg Albuterol, the patient's heart rate increases from 90 bpm to 118 bpm. What is the most appropriate immediate action for the Respiratory Therapist according to NBRC standards?
Show answer →Stop the treatment immediately and notify the physician. NBRC guidelines state that if the heart rate increases by 20% or more from the baseline, the treatment must be terminated. In this case, 118 bpm is a 31% increase from 90 bpm. You must document the adverse reaction, the peak heart rate, and the duration of the treatment given. Strategy: Always prioritize patient safety over completing the dose when tachycardia is significant.
A patient with severe COPD is using Striverdi Respimat. What is the generic name of this medication, and what is its primary mechanism of action?
Show answer →Generic: Olodaterol. Mechanism: Highly selective Beta-2 agonist that stimulates adenyl cyclase, increasing cyclic AMP levels, leading to bronchial smooth muscle relaxation. It is an ultra-LABA (24-hour duration). NBRC Tip: Respimat is a soft mist inhaler, which is often preferred for patients with low peak inspiratory flow who cannot effectively use a DPI.
Why is Ciclesonide (Alvesco) often preferred for patients who frequently experience local side effects like hoarseness or thrush compared to other ICS?
Show answer →Ciclesonide is a prodrug. It is delivered in an inactive form and is only converted into its active metabolite (des-ciclesonide) by esterases present in the bronchial epithelial cells. Because it is not active while passing through the oropharynx, it significantly reduces the incidence of oral candidiasis and dysphonia compared to older ICS agents like Fluticasone or Beclomethasone. Clinical Reasoning: This makes it an ideal choice for singers, teachers, or patients who have failed rinse and spit protocols due to persistent local side effects.
A patient is receiving inhaled Aztreonam (Cayston) via the Altera Nebulizer System. The patient complains of sudden chest tightness and wheezing halfway through the treatment. What is the most appropriate immediate action by the Respiratory Therapist?
Show answer →The therapist should immediately stop the treatment and administer a fast-acting bronchodilator (e.g., Albuterol). Rationale: Inhaled antibiotics are known irritants that can trigger reactive airway episodes. Aztreonam specifically requires pre-treatment with a bronchodilator in many protocols to prevent this. NBRC Exam Strategy: When a patient has an adverse reaction during any medicated aerosol treatment, the first step is ALWAYS to stop the treatment. Assessment and rescue medication follow.
An intubated patient has a CPOT score of 7 and a RASS of +2. According to analgesia-first sedation guidelines, which medication should be administered first?
Show answer →Fentanyl (Sublimaze) or another opioid analgesic should be administered. The analgesia-first (analgosedation) approach prioritizes pain management before adding sedatives. A CPOT score >3 indicates significant pain. Treating pain often resolves agitation (RASS +2) without needing heavy sedation. CRT Tip: NBRC emphasizes treating the underlying cause of agitation. Pain is the most common cause in the ICU.
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Try 30 free CRT cards firstThe full CRT deck contains 1040 flashcards, and 90 of them focus on pharmacology. This page shows 5 free samples.
Our CRT deck dedicates 90 of 1040 cards (9%) to pharmacology — 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.
Assessment
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Basics
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Diagnostics
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Management
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Monitoring
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Pathology
80 cards
Procedures
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