NBRC RPFT Registry Examination for Advanced Pulmonary Function Technologists Exam

Scoring
The PFT Examination contains 115 multiple-choice items (100 scored and 15 pretest). You will be given two hours to complete the PFT Examination.

For specific exam content, refer to the Detailed Content Outline.

Admission Requirements
To qualify for the PFT Examination, you must be 18 years of age or older and meet one of the following requirements:

Have a minimum of an associate degree from a respiratory care education program that is supported or accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC); or
Be a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) or Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credentialed by the NBRC; or
Complete 62 semester hours of college credit from a college or university accredited by its regional association or its equivalent, including college credit level courses in biology, chemistry and mathematics. You must also have at least six months of clinical experience* in the field of pulmonary function technology prior to applying for the PFT Examination; or
Be a Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT).

* Clinical experience is defined as a minimum of eight hours per week for a calendar year in pulmonary function technology under the supervision of a Medical Director of a pulmonary function laboratory or a special care area acceptable to the NBRC. Clinical experience must be completed before you apply for this examination.

A free PFT practice examination is available so you can familiarize yourself with the content and types of questions that will be included on the credentialing exam.

ATTENTION – By accessing this examination, you agree not to reproduce, distribute, disclose, offer for sale, or sell any portion of these copyrighted National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. materials in any format. Failure to comply with these terms may result in disciplinary action by the National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. including loss of your credential, losing your ability to retake an examination, and/or legal action related to copyright infringement.
Go to Free Practice Exam

Self-Assessment
Anyone planning to take the PFT Examination can assess how they will perform before actually attempting the examination by taking the official NBRC Self-Assessment Examination (SAE). The feedback from the SAE provides an opportunity to evaluate and remedy less-than-desirable examination performance before taking the credentialing examination. The official SAEs are the only products that provide the respective examination committees’ rationale for the best response to each question.

Official SAEs are only available in web-based format for purchase online through the NBRC’s testing agency, PSI. PSI’s e-store offers all currently available NBRC web-based SAEs for purchase online.

To take an online SAE, you must have:
• A compatible internet browser such as the current version of Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox or Safari. Other browsers may not work.
• Cookies and scripting must be enabled.
• Pop-up blocking must be disabled.

After your order is placed, you will receive a confirmation e-mail with specific instructions guiding you through the examination process. The e-mail contains your private password that allows you to receive individualized feedback on your performance. You will have 90 days from the time you receive your confirmation e-mail to complete the examination.

Please note: If you purchase an NBRC SAE, your credit card statement will reflect a purchase from LXR.

ATTENTION – By accessing this examination, you agree not to reproduce, distribute, disclose, offer for sale, or sell any portion of these copyrighted National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. materials in any format. Failure to comply with these terms may result in disciplinary action by the National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. including loss of your credential, losing your ability to retake an examination, and/or legal action related to copyright infringement.

General Exam Info: Tools for Candidates
These additional tools are available at no cost to help you prepare for the examination:

Candidate Handbook: Information, applications and other forms for all NBRC credentialing examinations
Detailed Content Outline for the PFT Examination
Practice Examination: An online simulation of the real examination experience using identical software. ATTENTION – By accessing this examination, you agree not to reproduce, distribute, disclose, offer for sale, or sell any portion of these copyrighted National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. materials in any format. Failure to comply with these terms may result in disciplinary action by the National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. including loss of your credential, losing your ability to retake an examination, and/or legal action related to copyright infringement. To access the practice exam and your results:
Log in with your email address – this is the email address where your results will be sent.
Use the mouse to select your responses and to proceed through the examination.
To obtain your results, you must take the entire examination in one sitting. Your results will not be saved if you exit the examination.
When you have completed the examination, click Finish and Display. Your results will be displayed on screen and emailed to the address you provided at login.
If you need assistance using the examination software, click on the Help button in the lower portion of the screen once you begin the examination.
To take the online practice exam, you will need a compatible internet browser such as the current version of Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox or Safari. Other browsers may or may not work. Cookies and scripting must be enabled and pop-up blocking must be disabled.
Assessment Centers: A listing of assessment centers where exams are offered nationwide, searchable by state or zip code
General FAQs: Information on credentials, fees, credential maintenance and other NBRC information
Credential Maintenance Program (CMP) Brochure: Detailed information on the NBRC’s Credential Maintenance Program
Submit an Online Application
Printable PFT Examination Application

I. INSTRUMENTATION / EQUIPMENT 7 15 8 30 A. Set Up, Maintain, Calibrate 3 5 2 10
1. Blood gas analyzers
2. CO-oximeters / hemoximeters
3. Spirometers (for example, diagnostic, screening, portable)
4. Peak flow meters
5. Aerosol delivery devices (for example, bronchodilator / bronchial challenge, dosimeters)
6. Metered dose or dry powder inhalers
7. Valves (for example, directional, demand)
8. Gas analyzers
a. DLCO (for example, gas chromatograph, infrared)
b. gas dilution techniques (for example, nitrogen, helium, oxygen)
c. exercise (for example, CO2, O2)
9. Body plethysmographs
10. Exercise equipment (for example, treadmill, cycle or arm ergometer)
11. ECG monitors (for example, 3-lead, 12-lead)
12. Metabolic measurement systems for exercise testing
13. Gas delivery systems (for example, blenders, flowmeters)
14. Pressure measuring devices (for example, manometers, transducers, strain gauges)
15. Gas and water absorbers (for example, Drierite®, Permapure® tubing)
16. Emergency management equipment (for example, defibrillator, crash cart)
17. Flexible bronchoscopes and associated equipment
18. Arterial / venous blood collection equipment
19. Information systems equipment (for example, computers, data backup, networks, printers, security)
20. Quality control devices (for example, calibration syringes, manometers, isothermal lung analog)
21. Gas exchange validation device or DLCO simulator
22. Infection control materials / methods (for example, sterilization devices, gowns, gloves, masks, filters)
23. Monitors
a. pulse oximeters
b. blood pressure (for example, manual cuff, automated)
1. Blood gas analyzers
2. CO-oximeters / hemoximeters
3. Spirometers (for example, diagnostic, screening, portable)
4. Peak flow meters
5. Aerosol delivery devices (for example, bronchodilator / bronchial challenge, dosimeters)
6. Metered dose or dry powder inhalers
7. Valves (for example, directional, demand)
8. Gas analyzers
a. DLCO (for example, gas chromatograph, infrared)
b. gas dilution techniques (for example, nitrogen, helium, oxygen)
c. exercise (for example, CO2, O2)
9. Body plethysmographs
10. Exercise equipment (for example, treadmill, cycle or arm ergometer)
11. ECG monitors (for example, 3-lead, 12-lead)
12. Metabolic measurement systems for exercise testing
13. Gas delivery systems (for example, blenders, flowmeters)
14. Pressure measuring devices (for example, manometers, transducers, strain gauges)
15. Gas and water absorbers (for example, Drierite®, Permapure® tubing)
16. Emergency management equipment (for example, defibrillator, crash cart)
17. Flexible bronchoscopes and associated equipment
18. Arterial / venous blood collection equipment
19. Information systems equipment (for example, computers, data backup, networks, printers, security)
20. Quality control devices (for example, calibration syringes, manometers, isothermal lung analog)
21. Gas exchange validation device or DLCO simulator
22. Infection control materials / methods (for example, sterilization devices, gowns, gloves, masks, filters)
23. Monitors
a. pulse oximeters
b. blood pressure (for example, manual cuff, automated)
1. Blood gas analyzers
2. CO-oximeters / hemoximeters
3. Spirometers (for example, diagnostic, screening, portable)
4. Peak flow meters
5. Aerosol delivery devices (for example, bronchodilator / bronchial challenge, dosimeters)
6. Metered dose or dry powder inhalers
7. Valves (for example, directional, demand)
8. Gas analyzers
a. DLCO (for example, gas chromatograph, infrared)
b. gas dilution techniques (for example, nitrogen, helium, oxygen)
c. exercise (for example, CO2, O2)
9. Body plethysmographs
10. Exercise equipment (for example, treadmill, cycle or arm ergometer)
11. ECG monitors (for example, 3-lead, 12-lead)
12. Metabolic measurement systems for exercise testing
II. Procedures 8 19 18 45 A. Select Test Protocols and Equipment 3 7 5 15
1. Spirometry (for example, VC, FVC, FEV1, MVV, flow-volume loop)
2. Bronchodilator delivery (for example, MDI, DPI, small volume nebulizers)
3. End tidal CO2
4. Blood sample collection (for example, arterial, capillary)
5. Sputum sample collection
6. Blood gas analysis (for example, pH, PO2, PCO2)
7. CO-oximetry / hemoximetry
8. Static lung volumes
a. gas dilution methods
b. body plethysmography
9. DLCO
10. Smoking cessation counseling
11. Patient education (for example, medication delivery, travel, asthma)
12. Oxygen titration at rest and / or exercise
13. Exercise (stress) testing
a. timed walking test (for example, 6MWT, shuttle walk)
b. monitored (for example, ECG, blood pressure, SpO2)
c. cardiopulmonary exercise test (for example, VO2max anaerobic threshold, VO2, VCO2, VD / VT)
d. inspiratory capacity and flow-volume loops during cardiopulmonary exercise testing
14. 12-lead ECG at rest
15. Pulse oximetry
16. Airway responsiveness
a. bronchodilation studies
b. bronchial provocation studies (for example, methacholine, exercise, EVH, mannitol)
17. Airways resistance / conductance measurements by plethysmography
18. Respiratory muscle strength (for example, MIP, MEP)
19. Flexible bronchoscopy assistance (for example, patient monitoring, specimen preparation, topical anesthesia)
20. Patient safety (for example, standard precautions, adverse events / incidents, cross contamination)
B. Perform the Procedure 3 6 6 15
1. Spirometry (for example, VC, FVC, FEV1, MVV, flow-volume loop)
2. Bronchodilator delivery (for example, MDI, DPI, small volume nebulizers)
3. End tidal CO2
4. Blood sample collection (for example, arterial, capillary)
5. Sputum sample collection
6. Blood gas analysis (for example, pH, PO2, PCO2)
7. CO-oximetry / hemoximetry
8. Static lung volumes
a. gas dilution methods
b. body plethysmography
9. DLCO
10. Smoking cessation counseling
11. Patient education (for example, medication delivery, travel, asthma)
12. Oxygen titration at rest and / or exercise
13. Exercise (stress) testing
a. timed walking test (for example, 6MWT, shuttle walk)
b. monitored (for example, ECG, blood pressure, SpO2)
c. cardiopulmonary exercise test (for example, VO2max anaerobic threshold, VO2, VCO2, VD / VT)
d. inspiratory capacity and flow-volume loops during cardiopulmonary exercise testing
14. 12-lead ECG at rest
15. Pulse oximetry
16. Airway responsiveness
a. bronchodilation studies
b. bronchial provocation studies (for example, methacholine, exercise, EVH, mannitol)
17. Airways resistance / conductance measurements by plethysmography
18. Respiratory muscle strength (for example, MIP, MEP)
19. Flexible bronchoscopy assistance (for example, patient monitoring, specimen preparation, topical anesthesia)
20. Patient safety (for example, standard precautions, adverse events / incidents, cross contamination)
C. Evaluate Validity of Result 2 6 7 15
1. Spirometry (for example, VC, FVC, FEV1, MVV, flow-volume loop)
2. Bronchodilator delivery (for example, MDI, DPI, small volume nebulizers)
3. End tidal CO2
4. Blood sample collection (for example, arterial, capillary)
5. Sputum sample collection
6. Blood gas analysis (for example, pH, PO2, PCO2)
7. CO-oximetry / hemoximetry
8. Static lung volumes
a. gas dilution methods
b. body plethysmography
9. DLCO
10. Smoking cessation counseling
11. Patient education (for example, medication delivery, travel, asthma)
12. Oxygen titration at rest and / or exercise
13. Exercise (stress) testing
a. timed walking test (for example, 6MWT, shuttle walk)
b. monitored (for example, ECG, blood pressure, SpO2)
c. cardiopulmonary exercise test (for example, VO2max anaerobic threshold, VO2, VCO2, VD / VT)
d. inspiratory capacity and flow-volume loops during cardiopulmonary exercise testing
14. 12-lead ECG at rest
15. Pulse oximetry
16. Airway responsiveness
a. bronchodilation studies
b. bronchial provocation studies (for example, methacholine, exercise, EVH, mannitol)
17. Airways resistance / conductance measurements by plethysmography
18. Respiratory muscle strength (for example, MIP, MEP)
19. Flexible bronchoscopy assistance (for example, patient monitoring, specimen preparation, topical anesthesia)
20. Patient safety (for example, standard precautions, adverse events / incidents, cross contamination)
III. Data Management 1 10 14 25 A. Calculate Results, Select Reference Ranges and Data 1 4 3 8
1. Blood gas results (for example, pH, PO2, PCO2)
2. CO-oximetry / hemoximetry results (Hb, O2Hb, COHb, MetHb)
3. Spirometry data (for example, VC, FVC, FEV1, MVV, flow-volume loops)
4. Static lung volumes
a. gas dilution
b. body plethysmography
5. DLCO
6. Home pulmonary function data (for example, spirometry, peak flow)
7. Oxygen titration at rest and / or exercise
8. Exercise (stress) test
a. timed walking test (for example, 6 MWT, shuttle walk)
b. monitored (for example, ECG, blood pressure, SpO2)
c. cardiopulmonary exercise test (for example, VO2max anaerobic threshold, VO2, VCO2, VD / VT)
d. inspiratory capacity and flow-volume loops during cardiopulmonary exercise testing
9. Blood pressure monitoring
10. ECG analysis (for example, arrhythmia, rate, pattern)
11. Pulse oximetry
12. Airway responsiveness
a. bronchodilation studies
b. bronchial provocation studies (for example, methacholine, exercise, EVH, mannitol)
13. Airways resistance / conductance measurements by plethysmography
14. Respiratory muscle strength (for example, MIP, MEP)
15. Safety data (for example, hand hygiene compliance, event management)
16. Quality control procedures (for example, mechanical or biologic)
17. Serial pulmonary function testing (for example, trending a single patient)
18. Clinical history and demographics (for example, age, race, sex, smoking history, medication, clinical indication)
19. Laboratory quality management (for example, customer satisfaction, inventory control, standard operating procedures, department records)
B. Evaluate Reliability of Results 0 3 6 9
1. Blood gas results (for example, pH, PO2, PCO2)
2. CO-oximetry / hemoximetry results (Hb, O2Hb, COHb, MetHb)
3. Spirometry data (for example, VC, FVC, FEV1, MVV, flow-volume loops)
4. Static lung volumes
a. gas dilution
b. body plethysmography
5. DLCO
6. Home pulmonary function data (for example, spirometry, peak flow)
7. Oxygen titration at rest and / or exercise
8. Exercise (stress) test
a. timed walking test (for example, 6 MWT, shuttle walk)
b. monitored (for example, ECG, blood pressure, SpO2)
c. cardiopulmonary exercise test (for example, VO2max anaerobic threshold, VO2, VCO2, VD / VT)
d. inspiratory capacity and flow-volume loops during cardiopulmonary exercise testing
9. Blood pressure monitoring
10. ECG analysis (for example, arrhythmia, rate, pattern)
11. Pulse oximetry
12. Airway responsiveness
a. bronchodilation studies
b. bronchial provocation studies (for example, methacholine, exercise, EVH, mannitol)
13. Airways resistance / conductance measurements by plethysmography
14. Respiratory muscle strength (for example, MIP, MEP)
15. Safety data (for example, hand hygiene compliance, event management)
16. Quality control procedures (for example, mechanical or biologic)
17. Serial pulmonary function testing (for example, trending a single patient)
18. Clinical history and demographics (for example, age, race, sex, smoking history, medication, clinical indication)
19. Laboratory quality management (for example, customer satisfaction, inventory control, standard operating procedures, department records)
C. Evaluate Clinical Implications 0 3 5 8
1. Blood gas results (for example, pH, PO2, PCO2)
2. CO-oximetry / hemoximetry results (Hb, O2Hb, COHb, MetHb)
3. Spirometry data (for example, VC, FVC, FEV1, MVV, flow-volume loops)
4. Static lung volumes
a. gas dilution
b. body plethysmography
5. DLCO
6. Home pulmonary function data (for example, spirometry, peak flow)
7. Oxygen titration at rest and / or exercise
8. Exercise (stress) test
a. timed walking test (for example, 6 MWT, shuttle walk)
b. monitored (for example, ECG, blood pressure, SpO2)
c. cardiopulmonary exercise test (for example, VO2max anaerobic threshold, VO2, VCO2, VD / VT)
d. inspiratory capacity and flow-volume loops during cardiopulmonary exercise testing
9. Blood pressure monitoring
10. ECG analysis (for example, arrhythmia, rate, pattern)
11. Pulse oximetry
12. Airway responsiveness
a. bronchodilation studies
b. bronchial provocation studies (for example, methacholine, exercise, EVH, mannitol)
13. Airways resistance / conductance measurements by plethysmography
14. Respiratory muscle strength (for example, MIP, MEP)
15. Safety data (for example, hand hygiene compliance, event management)
16. Quality control procedures (for example, mechanical or biologic)
17. Serial pulmonary function testing (for example, trending a single patient)
18. Clinical history and demographics (for example, age, race, sex, smoking history, medication, clinical indication)
19. Laboratory quality management (for example, customer satisfaction, inventory control, standard operating procedures, department records)

QUESTION 1
A patient with severe airflow limitation pants too rapidly (> 3 breaths/second) against a closed shutter in a body plethysmograph. Which of the following will occur?

A. VTGunderestimation
B. VTGoverestimation
C. RAWunderestimation
D. RAWoverestimation

Answer: D

QUESTION 2
A treadmill is set so that the belt rises 1 ft in a horizontal distance of 10 ft at 3 mph. The percent grade indicator should read

A. 30.0%
B. 1.0%
C. 3.0%
D. 10.0%

Answer: C

QUESTION 3
Which of the following is a suitable policy for following Standard Precautions in a pulmonary function laboratory?

A. Eye protection is required when obtaining ABGs from patients with hepatitis.
B. Reusable mouthpieces should be disposed when a patient has a history of tuberculosis.
C. Gloves are optional when obtaining arterial blood samples using a kit
D. Reusable mouthpieces should be disinfected between each patient.

Answer: B

QUESTION 4
Which of the following is the most reliable indicator that a patient has achieved his maximum exercise capacity during a progressive exercise (stress) test?

A. Respiratory exchange ratio greater than 0.8
B. Heart rate of 210/min
C. VO2remains stable with increasing workload
D. Minute ventilation greater than 170 L/min

Answer: C

QUESTION 5
A pulmonary function technologist is performing quality control on a nebulizer used in the 5-breath dosimeter
bronchial challenge. The target output of the device is 0.09 mL, plus or minus 10%. After 10 actuations, the
nebulizer output was 75μL with a 2.0 mL initial saline dose in the nebulizer. The technologist should

A. Open the vent before starting the bronchial challenge.
B. Add an exhalation filter and proceed with testing patients.
C. Clean and reevaluate this nebulizer.
D. Accept the results and begin using the device.

Answer: D

QUESTION 6
To assure linearity of an oxygen analyzer, calibrate with

A. Three test gases within the operating range of the instrument
B. Air
C. 100% 02
D. Two test gases within the operating range of the instrument

Answer: A

QUESTION 7
At the end of a progressive exercise study of a healthy adult male, RER would be approximately what value?

A. 1.65
B. 0.83
C. 1.00
D. 1.25

Answer: C