Question 1

Which of the following would indicate that administration of a bland water aerosol to a patient with postextubation upper airway edema was having the desired effect?
I.decreased work of breathing
IIimproved vital signs
III.decreased stridor or dyspnea
IV.improved oxygen saturation

Accepted Answer

A) I, II, and III 
B) I, II, III, and IV 
C) III and IV 
D) I, II, and IV

Question 2

All of the following are contraindications for heat-moisture exchangers except:

Accepted Answer

A) presence of thick, copious, or bloody secretions 
B) presence of a large leak around artificial airway 
C) when a patient is suffering from hyperpyrexia 
D) when a patient's minute ventilation exceeds 10 L/min

Question 3

What is the most important factor determining a humidifier's performance?

Accepted Answer

A) surface area 
B) temperature 
C) time of contact 
D) gas flow

Question 4

What is the total water output of heated large-volume jet nebulizers?

Accepted Answer

A) 16 to 25 mg H2O/L 
B) 26 to 35 mg H2O/L 
C) 33 to 55 mg H2O/L 
D) 56 to 75 mg H2O/L

Question 5

For which of the following patients might you recommend administration of a hypertonic saline aerosol?
I.acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patient with severe pneumonia symptoms
II.patient with a bypassed upper airway
III.patient suspected of having tuberculosis

Accepted Answer

A) I, II, and III 
B) II and III 
C) I and II 
D) I and III

Question 6

Clinical indications for delivering cool humidified gas include which of the following?
I.postextubation edema
II.upper airway inflammation
III.croup (laryngotracheal bronchitis)IV.epiglottitis

Accepted Answer

A) II, III, and IV 
B) I, II, and III 
C) I, II, III, and IV 
D) II and III

Question 7

Which of the following nebulizers uses a piezoelectric transducer to generate liquid particle aerosols?

Accepted Answer

A) hydrodynamic nebulizer 
B) ultrasonic nebulizer 
C) jet nebulizer 
D) centrifugal nebulizer

Question 8

When checking an oxygen delivery system that incorporates a bubble humidifier running at 6 L/min, you occlude the delivery tubing, and the humidifier pressure relief immediately pops off. What does this indicate?

Accepted Answer

A) malfunctioning humidifier 
B) normal, leak-free system 
C) malfunctioning flowmeter 
D) leak in the delivery tubing

Question 9

In general, to deliver oxygen to the upper airway, a bubble humidifier is required only when the gas flow exceeds which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A) 1 L/min 
B) 2 L/min 
C) 3 L/min 
D) 4 L/min

Question 10

A patient receiving nasal oxygen at 3 L/min complains of nasal dryness and irritation. Which of the following actions would be appropriate?

Accepted Answer

A) recommending that the flow be decreased to 2 L/min 
B) adding a humidifier to the delivery system 
C) recommending that the flow be increased to 4 L/min 
D) switching to a simple mask at 3 L/min

Question 11

Where should you place the thermistor probe for a servo-controlled heated humidifier being used on a patient receiving mechanical ventilation?

Accepted Answer

A) in the expiratory limb of the circuit, near but not at the "wye" 
B) in the inspiratory limb of the circuit, as close to the "wye" as possible 
C) in the expiratory limb of the circuit, as close to the "wye" as possible 
D) in the inspiratory limb of the circuit, near but not at the "wye"

Question 12

The particle size produced by an ultrasonic nebulizer depends mainly on which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A) blower (fan) speed 
B) signal amplitude 
C) signal frequency 
D) chamber baffling

Question 13

Which of the following are necessary features to look for in selecting a heated humidifier?
I.water level readily visible
II.over-temperature protection
III.auditory and visual alarms
IV.minimal temperature overshoot

Accepted Answer

A) II and IV 
B) I, II, and III 
C) III and IV 
D) I, II, III, and IV

Question 14

An ultrasonic nebulizer is not putting out any mist. After confirming (a) a good electrical power supply (cord, plug, and circuit breakers are in good working order), (b) that carrier gas is actually flowing through the device, and (c) that the output control is set at maximum, what should you do?

Accepted Answer

A) Take the unit out of service and send it to engineering for repair. 
B) Inspect the couplant chamber to confirm cleanliness and fill level. 
C) Disassemble the radiofrequency generator and test for electrical leakage. 
D) Hook it up the chamber inlet to a flowmeter set at 10 L/min or higher.

Question 15

How often would you recommend that a home care patient disinfect a home ultrasonic room humidifier?

Accepted Answer

A) per manufacturer's specifications, or at least every day 
B) per manufacturer's specifications, or at least every 3 days 
C) per manufacturer's specifications, or at least every 6 days 
D) per manufacturer's specifications, or at least every 2 weeks

Question 16

The typical pressure pop-off incorporated into most simple bubble humidifiers releases pressure above which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A) 760 mm Hg 
B) 10 cm H2O 
C) 250 kPa 
D) 2 psig

Question 17

A neonatologist is concerned about the possibility of hearing damage occurring to a premature infant receiving bland water aerosol delivered via air-entrainment nebulizers inside an incubator or isolette. Which of the following would you recommend as the best way to overcome this problem?

Accepted Answer

A) Use a heated passover humidifier instead. 
B) Use an ultrasonic nebulizer system instead. 
C) Place sound baffles in the aerosol tubing. 
D) Place earplugs in the infant's outer ears.

Question 18

Increasing the flow through an unheated bubble humidifier has which of the following effects?

Accepted Answer

A) decreasing the water vapor content 
B) decreasing the relative humidity 
C) increasing the water vapor content 
D) increasing the relative humidity

Question 19

What are some types of passover humidifiers?
I.simple reservoir
II.membrane
III.wick

Accepted Answer

A) I and II 
B) II and III 
C) I and III 
D) I, II, and III

Question 20

Which of the following are components of an ultrasonic nebulizer?
I.air-entrainment orifice
II.radiofrequency generator
III.nebulizer chamber
IV.piezoelectric transducer
V.blower or fan

Accepted Answer

A) I, III, and IV 
B) II, III, IV, and V 
C) I, II, III, IV, and V 
D) III, IV, and V

Exam 35: Humidity and Bland Aerosol Therapy

Which of the following would indicate that administration of a bland water aerosol to a patient with postextubation upper airway edema was having the desired effect? I.decreased work of breathing IIimproved vital signs III.decreased stridor or dyspnea IV.improved oxygen saturation

All of the following are contraindications for heat-moisture exchangers except:

What is the most important factor determining a humidifier's performance?

What is the total water output of heated large-volume jet nebulizers?

For which of the following patients might you recommend administration of a hypertonic saline aerosol? I.acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patient with severe pneumonia symptoms II.patient with a bypassed upper airway III.patient suspected of having tuberculosis

Clinical indications for delivering cool humidified gas include which of the following? I.postextubation edema II.upper airway inflammation III.croup (laryngotracheal bronchitis) IV.epiglottitis