Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
Prepare for success on respiratory therapy credentialing exams! Updated to reflect the 2009 National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC) content outlines, Sills' The Comprehensive Respiratory Therapist's Exam Review, 5th Edition helps you review for both entry and advanced level credentialing exams. It covers every testable subject, providing content review, self-assessment questions, and study hints. The new Evolve website contains electronic testing offering realistic practice for the entry-level credentialing exam and the advanced-level credentialing Written Registry Exam (WRE) and Clinical Simulation Exam (CSE).
Synopsis
I am proposing to combine the current two texts into one text. The CRT (entry level) and RRT (advanced level) overlap in content by about 80-85%. All but two states require licensure of RTs (minimum CRT), but the AARC is promoting advanced level learning. There are approximately 342 advanced level programs compared to approximately 42 entry level programs. In addition, reviewers overwhelmingly preferred one text to the current two. They noted that it would be less costly for students if they have only one book to purchase and, thus, students would be more likely to purchase. One text will make it easier for students to study from. Equally important, it will certainly save us money in production costs (one book, one CD).
To further emphasize the need to combine the texts: To date, the advanced level book has sold close to 27% over the LOT (7318 to LOT of 5400) and the entry level book has sold approximately 2% under LOT (5573 to LOT of 5650). Doing away with the lower revenue-generating text (with high production costs) and combining the content of the two books may cause an initial decline in total revenue (simple math: revenue for one book vs. revenue for two), but due to a reduction in total costs, we should still realize the same level of profit. A comparison grid is attached.
Every five years, the NBRC (National Board of Respiratory Care) releases a test matrix and content outline that indicates the areas tested on the entry- and advanced-level practitioner examinations. In September/October 2008, the NBRC is expected to release the new examination matrix and content outline. The new matrix and content outline displays the content areas, accompanied by complexity levels, which will be covered on the versions of the examinations that will be administered by the NBRC beginning in July/August 2009 (for entry-level practitioner exams) and January 2010 for the advanced RRT exam. This matrix is used as a guideline for the material in the Sills text to better prepare students for the exams. According to CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs), the overwhelming majority of the programs that sit for the exams are the advanced respiratory care programs.
The credentialing exam for entry-level respiratory therapists (CRT) consists of 160 multiple-choice questions distributed among three major content areas: patient data, equipment, and therapeutic procedures. The exam must be completed in three hours. This exam is typically offered in July. Passing the entry-level examination is the minimum requirement to practice respiratory therapy in most states. All states except Alaska and Hawaii require RTs to be licensed. Those who pass are awarded the CRT (certified respiratory therapist) credential. Earning the CRT is a prerequisite for sitting for the Registry Examination for Advanced Respiratory Therapists.
The Registry Examination for Advanced Respiratory Therapists (RRT) is a difficult two part exam consisting of a 115 multiple-choice question written test that must be completed in two hours and a Clinical Simulation Exam (CSE) with 11 patient management problems. The CSE must be completed in four hours. This exam is typically offered in January. Achievement of CRT credentials is a pre-requisite and the exam must be taken within three years after graduation. Those who pass both portions of the exam are awarded the RRT (registered respiratory therapist) credential.
- Unique Exam Hint boxes point out subjects that are frequently tested, helping you study, plan your time, and improve your test-taking skills.
- Self-study questions are included at the end of each chapter, accompanied by answers and rationales in the back of the book.
- Complexity level codes (recall, application, and analysis) help you prepare for questions in the way that is most appropriate (e.g., memorization for recall or synthesis for analysis).
- NBRC content outline coding provides a code for each topic so you can be sure that you have covered every topic that might appear on the exam.
- CRT and RRT level codes speed your review by identifying the individual topics for the CRT and RRT exams, as well as topics for both.
- The Evolve website includes practice tests so you can assess your understanding before and after you have reviewed, allowing for practice in the computerized exam format.
- All online practice tests include the same number of questions as the actual exams, with 160 questions for the CRT review, 115 questions for the WRE review, and 11 practice simulations for the CSE review.
- A question randomizing feature ensures that you never have to take the same practice test twice.
- Study mode allows you to answer questions and get immediate feedback.
- Exam mode lets you take a timed exam with feedback after the test is completed.
- One text now covers both the entry and advanced levels of Respiratory Therapists credentialing exams, so you need only one book to prepare for CRT and RRT credentials.
- Updated content reflects the NBRC's new examination content outlines, so you get an accurate, current review.
- New coverage includes subject areas such as CPAP/BiPAP titration during sleep, hemodynamic monitoring, hyperinflation therapy, laryngeal mask airway, high frequency ventilation, oxygen titration, thoracentesis, ultrasound, and ventilator-associated pneumonia protocols.
- An Evolve website includes both CRT and RRT practice exams.