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200+ Free RT (CRT/RRT) Practice Questions

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Case 001 (Pharmacologic and Special Gases): In an emergency department resuscitation bay, a severe bronchospasm patient needs repeated bronchodilator therapy during cross-coverage handoff. Which action BEST matches safe exam-level practice?

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B
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to track
2026 Statistics

Key Facts: RT (CRT/RRT) Exam

160

TMC Total Items

NBRC TMC exam structure

140+20

Scored + Pretest

NBRC TMC exam structure

50/20/70

TMC Scored Domain Split

NBRC TMC detailed content outline (2020-2026)

$190 / $150

TMC Fees

NBRC RRT page

$200

CSE Fee

NBRC RRT page

13%

RT Job Growth 2024-2034

BLS

NBRC's current TMC detailed content outline is effective through December 31, 2026 and uses 160 items (140 scored + 20 pretest) in 3 hours. The scored-content distribution is Patient Data (50), Troubleshooting/Quality Control/Infection Control (20), and Initiation/Modification of Interventions (70). NBRC also posts a transition to a single RT Examination with a January 2027 detailed content outline.

Sample RT (CRT/RRT) Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your RT (CRT/RRT) exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 200+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Case 001 (Pharmacologic and Special Gases): In an emergency department resuscitation bay, a severe bronchospasm patient needs repeated bronchodilator therapy during cross-coverage handoff. Which action BEST matches safe exam-level practice?
A.Continue special-gas therapy without monitoring response metrics.
B.Verify indication, dose, and delivery setup for inhaled medication or special gas, then monitor objective response and adverse effects.
C.Mix incompatible medications in a single nebulizer without verification.
D.Use fixed treatment intervals despite documented adverse effects.
Explanation: TMC pharmacology items test indication-based aerosol/special-gas selection, dose-delivery accuracy, and adverse-effect monitoring.
2Case 002 (Hemodynamic and Special Procedures): In a long-term acute care setting, a critically ill patient develops hypotension during ventilator adjustment while reassessing response to current therapy. What should the therapist do FIRST?
A.Delay escalation until procedure completion despite clear instability signs.
B.Apply identical procedural settings despite major status changes.
C.Coordinate respiratory interventions with hemodynamic monitoring and escalate immediately when instability or procedure risk increases.
D.Prioritize equipment setup over patient physiologic reassessment.
Explanation: TMC special-procedure questions emphasize coordinated care, physiologic monitoring, and immediate response to instability.
3Case 003 (Quality Control): In an emergency department resuscitation bay, a blood gas analyzer QC check is out of range at shift start as the team considers escalation of care. Which response is MOST appropriate now?
A.Share previous shift's QC result as proof for today's use.
B.Adjust patient settings to compensate for known QC drift.
C.Skip post-maintenance QC checks when the device powers on normally.
D.Complete required quality-control verification and documentation before clinical use, and remove failed equipment from service.
Explanation: Quality-control items emphasize routine verification, calibration checks, and complete documentation before clinical deployment.
4Case 004 (Quality Control): In a pulmonary rehabilitation clinic, a capnograph was serviced and returned to unit stock while preparing the next treatment cycle. Which action BEST matches safe exam-level practice?
A.Use equipment first and complete QC documentation later if time permits.
B.Complete required quality-control verification and documentation before clinical use, and remove failed equipment from service.
C.Accept borderline QC values without repeating verification.
D.Continue clinical use after QC failure if backup equipment is limited.
Explanation: Quality-control items emphasize routine verification, calibration checks, and complete documentation before clinical deployment.
5Case 005 (Pharmacologic and Special Gases): In a neurocritical care unit, the team requests inhaled vasodilator support during hypoxemia during a multidisciplinary bedside update. What should the therapist do FIRST?
A.Continue special-gas therapy without monitoring response metrics.
B.Mix incompatible medications in a single nebulizer without verification.
C.Verify indication, dose, and delivery setup for inhaled medication or special gas, then monitor objective response and adverse effects.
D.Use fixed treatment intervals despite documented adverse effects.
Explanation: TMC pharmacology items test indication-based aerosol/special-gas selection, dose-delivery accuracy, and adverse-effect monitoring.
6Case 006 (Airway Clearance and Lung Expansion): In a step-down respiratory unit, a post-op patient shows shallow breathing and basal crackles during a rapid status change. What should the therapist do FIRST?
A.Use the same airway-clearance method for all patients regardless of indication.
B.Increase treatment intensity despite clear intolerance signs.
C.Choose airway-clearance or lung-expansion therapy based on secretion burden, mechanics, contraindications, and patient tolerance.
D.Delay secretion-management interventions until radiographic worsening is severe.
Explanation: TMC intervention questions emphasize matching airway-clearance or expansion methods to indication, tolerance, and contraindications.
7Case 007 (Oxygenation and Ventilation Support): In an emergency department resuscitation bay, a COPD exacerbation patient remains dyspneic on baseline oxygen during cross-coverage handoff. Which response is MOST appropriate now?
A.Target saturation above ordered range without considering retention risk.
B.Delay reassessment after major support adjustments.
C.Escalate support without checking interface fit and patient synchrony first.
D.Titrate oxygen or ventilatory support to ordered targets with continuous monitoring, reassessment, and timely escalation when response is inadequate.
Explanation: TMC support questions prioritize target-based oxygen/ventilation titration with close reassessment and escalation when needed.
8Case 008 (Clinical Assessment): In a step-down respiratory unit, the patient reports sudden increase in breathlessness at rest while reassessing response to current therapy. What is the MOST appropriate respiratory therapist action?
A.Perform a focused bedside assessment (inspection, breath sounds, work of breathing, vitals, and patient interview) before intervention.
B.Skip auscultation because prior shift notes already describe lung sounds.
C.Delay assessment until after routine medication rounds are complete.
D.Assume anxiety is the primary cause without objective exam findings.
Explanation: TMC clinical-assessment items emphasize direct bedside evaluation before escalation or treatment modification.
9Case 009 (Patient Record Evaluation): In a cardiopulmonary intermediate care unit, the night team documented increasing oxygen needs as the team considers escalation of care. Which action BEST matches safe exam-level practice?
A.Document a treatment recommendation before confirming provider orders.
B.Review current orders, prior RT documentation, code status, and trend data before suggesting or changing therapy.
C.Assume code status is unchanged and skip verification during handoff.
D.Use verbal report only and skip direct review of charted objective data.
Explanation: TMC patient-data questions reward complete chart review with trend awareness before recommending therapy changes.
10Case 010 (Recommend Diagnostics): In a telemetry unit during evening coverage, the patient has new unilateral breath-sound reduction while preparing the next treatment cycle. What should the therapist do FIRST?
A.Delay diagnostic recommendations until discharge planning begins.
B.Select tests based on convenience rather than pathophysiologic suspicion.
C.Recommend targeted diagnostic testing that addresses the current clinical question and is likely to change management.
D.Order broad testing panels without a clear management question.
Explanation: TMC recommendation questions test whether the RT suggests targeted diagnostics that will meaningfully change management.

About the RT (CRT/RRT) Exam

The NBRC respiratory therapist pathway uses the Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) exam for CRT and RRT eligibility. In 2026 prep cycles, candidates should train heavily on patient data interpretation, device troubleshooting/quality control/infection control, and intervention decisions.

Questions

160 scored questions

Time Limit

3 hours (TMC)

Passing Score

CRT low cut score; RRT eligibility at TMC high cut score

Exam Fee

$190 new / $150 repeat (TMC); $200 (CSE) (NBRC)

RT (CRT/RRT) Exam Content Outline

50 scored items

Patient Data Evaluation and Recommendations

Chart review, bedside assessment, and interpretation of diagnostic data to guide next-step recommendations

20 scored items

Troubleshooting/Quality Control/Infection Control

Device setup checks, alarm troubleshooting, calibration/QC workflows, and infection-prevention procedures

70 scored items

Initiation and Modification of Interventions

Airway, oxygenation/ventilation, pharmacologic gases, and hemodynamic-aware intervention decisions

How to Pass the RT (CRT/RRT) Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: CRT low cut score; RRT eligibility at TMC high cut score
  • Exam length: 160 questions
  • Time limit: 3 hours (TMC)
  • Exam fee: $190 new / $150 repeat (TMC); $200 (CSE)

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

RT (CRT/RRT) Study Tips from Top Performers

1Weight your practice to match the TMC blueprint: intervention decisions are the largest section
2Train chart-to-bedside reasoning: combine patient record review, assessment findings, and diagnostics before choosing interventions
3Use a troubleshooting checklist for device alarms, gas sources, calibration, and infection-control steps
4Practice oxygenation and ventilation adjustments with explicit target ranges and reassessment points
5Run timed mixed sets weekly to improve 3-hour pacing and decision consistency

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the RT (CRT/RRT) pathway tested in 2026?

NBRC's current pathway uses the TMC for CRT and RRT eligibility decisions, with the CSE used for RRT credential completion under the current structure. The TMC detailed content outline posted by NBRC is effective through December 31, 2026.

How many questions are on the TMC?

NBRC describes the TMC as 160 multiple-choice items in 3 hours, with 140 scored items and 20 pretest items.

What are the major TMC content areas?

NBRC's TMC detailed content outline maps scored items across three areas: Patient Data (50), Troubleshooting/Quality Control/Infection Control (20), and Initiation/Modification of Interventions (70).

What does the exam transition note for 2027?

NBRC publishes an RT detailed content outline effective January 2027 and describes a single RT Examination format for the transition period. Candidates testing near the boundary should confirm the active outline date before scheduling.

What are the current listed fees for TMC and CSE?

NBRC's RRT exam page lists TMC at $190 for new applicants and $150 for repeat applicants, and lists CSE at $200.

How should I study RT practice questions effectively?

Use domain-weighted prep: 1) train intervention items most heavily, 2) drill ABG/imaging/patient-data interpretation daily, 3) run timed mixed sets for pacing, and 4) review rationale patterns by domain after each session.