Exam 8: Other Important Tests and Procedures

A patient has pneumonia and a right pleural effusion. If the pleural exudate fluid is infected, it will show: 1) a low protein level. 2) a high white blood cell count. 3) bacteria. 4) many red blood cells.

The respiratory therapist is called to evaluate a patient for arterial line placement needed for accessibility and repeated ABG sampling. In evaluating the risk of bleeding, the therapist should establish that the patient has a platelet count of at least ____/mm³ before recommending placement of the arterial line.

In response to a viral infection, which of the following can be expected to be seen in the white blood cell count?

After a thoracentesis procedure, it is important to monitor the patient for:

Gram staining is done to: 1) classify organisms as gram positive or gram negative. 2) identify tuberculosis organisms. 3) speed up the organism culturing process. 4) help guide antibiotic therapy.

Therapeutic bronchoscopy is used for all of the following EXCEPT:

Diagnostic thoracentesis can be used to:

Culture and sensitivity tests:

The respiratory therapist is reviewing the electronic medical record of a patient recently admitted to the medical floor. The therapist notes that a sputum sample was sent to the lab for an acid-fast smear and culture. How should the therapist interpret this information?

In a normal differential white blood cell (WBC) count, which of the following would have the highest number?

For blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine values:

A 14-year-old patient has had a serious asthma attack. Her white blood cell count can be expected to show:

The respiratory therapist is caring for a patient who is receiving diuretic therapy as part of the medication regimen for her congestive heart failure. Which of the following would the therapist MOST likely monitor in watching for common side effects associated with diuretic therapy?