What the Course Entails and Exam Details

This comprehensive study aid mirrors the detailed content outlines provided by the NBRC. The core topics covered reflect the essential knowledge required for an entry-level and advanced respiratory therapist.

Key areas include:

• Patient Assessment: Gathering and evaluating clinical data, including patient history, physical examination, and laboratory values.

• Troubleshooting Equipment: Identifying and correcting malfunctions in life-support systems, ventilators, oxygen delivery devices, and monitoring equipment.

• Therapeutic Modalities: Understanding and applying techniques like medical gas therapy, humidity and aerosol therapy, and hyperinflation therapy.

• Mechanical Ventilation: Managing invasive and non-invasive ventilation, including setting parameters, interpreting data, and weaning protocols.

• Pharmacology: Administering and evaluating the effects of respiratory medications and related agents.

• Diagnostics: Interpreting results from arterial blood gas analyses, pulmonary function tests, and other diagnostic procedures.

The Saunders practice resource typically includes thousands of practice questions, detailed rationales for both correct and incorrect answers, and multiple testing modes (study mode vs. exam mode).

What to Expect in the Final Exam

While the Saunders practice exam is a study tool, it is designed to prepare you for the official NBRC licensing exams. It is vital to understand what the actual final CRT and RRT exams entail.

Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) Exam:

• Format: A computer-based examination consisting of 160 multiple-choice questions (140 scored, 20 pre-test).

• Time Limit: 3 hours.

• Passing Score: The NBRC uses a scaled score; the minimum passing scaled score is 70.

• Focus: Entry-level knowledge and skills.

Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) Examination:

The RRT credential requires passing two separate exams:

1. The Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) Examination: This is the same exam used for CRT licensure, but achieving a higher cut score is necessary to be eligible for the clinical simulation exam.

2. The Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE):

• Format: 22 clinical simulation problems (20 scored, 2 pre-test). Each problem is a branched-logic scenario that tests clinical decision-making.

• Time Limit: 4 hours.

• Passing Score: Scaled score requirements are determined by the NBRC.

The Saunders materials provide critical preparation for both the standard multiple-choice format of the TMC and the complex, scenario-based structure of the CSE.

How to Study and Exam Centers

Maximizing your success involves a strategic approach to using the Saunders materials:

1. Diagnostic Test: Begin with a full-length practice exam to establish your baseline score and pinpoint weak areas.

2. Focused Review: Use the detailed rationales provided for every question. Understand why the correct answer is right and why the distractors are wrong.

3. Timed Practice: As your exam date approaches, take multiple timed practice exams to build endurance and improve time management skills.

4. Simulate the RRT CSE: Specifically utilize the simulation practice scenarios to become accustomed to the branched-logic format.

Registering for the Official Exam:

After comprehensive preparation, you must register for the actual licensing exams through the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) website.

Exam Centers:

The official NBRC licensing exams (CRT, TMC, and CSE) are administered at secure testing centers throughout the United States.

• Pearson VUE: The NBRC utilizes Pearson VUE testing centers for its examinations. You can locate the closest authorized testing center and schedule your exam directly through the Pearson VUE website after your eligibility is confirmed by the NBRC.

Job Opportunities from the Course

Achieving certification through successful completion of your licensing exams unlocks a wide array of career paths in the high-demand field of respiratory care.

Completing this course and passing the NBRC exams allows you to pursue roles such as:

• Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT)

• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)

• Adult Critical Care Specialist (ACCS)

• Neonatal/Pediatric Specialist (NPS)

• Sleep Disorders Specialist (SDS)

• Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT/RPFT)

• Home Care Respiratory Therapist

• Pulmonary Rehabilitation Specialist

• Transport Respiratory Therapist (Air/Ground)