How to Prepare for (and Pass) the Clinical Simulations Exam (CSE)

If you’re reading this right now then it most likely means that you’ve already passed the TMC Exam. If so, congratulations! That is an amazing accomplishment and it means that you’re one step closer to becoming a Registered Respiratory Therapist.

I just want to say thank you for coming to Respiratory Therapy Zone as a way to help prepare for the Clinical Simulations Exam. Our #1 goal is to help you pass the exam on your very first attempt. And the details that are listed out for you below in this article can set you on the right path to do just that.

We’re striving to provide you with the most current information needed to prepare for the CSE and will give you all the information that you will be expected to know for the exam by the NBRC.

So if you’re ready, let’s go ahead and dive right in!

How to pass the Clinical Sims Exam?

First and foremost, in order to pass the Clinical Simulations Exam, it’s going to take a lot of hard work and dedication from you. There’s no way around it. This is a mindset that you must adopt early on in the preparation process.

Once you set your mind to the fact that you CAN pass the exam through hard work and dedication, it makes everything else a whole lot easier.

You need a good, reliable CSE Study Guide.

About the Clinical Simulations Exam

Our goal is to help you master both — the content and the comprehensive abilities you need to pass the exam.

Clinical Simulations Exam Rules

There will be a total of 22 problems on the exam that are selected from 8 different categories. Two of the problems are pretested scenarios that are individually scored based on the judgment of the NBRC committee.

Each problem represents a clinical setting or patient situation that is designed to simulate real-life situations in the clinical practice of respiratory care.

Keep These Rules in Mind for the Exam:

• A pencil and a sheet of scratch paper will be provided for you. No outside notes or books are allowed. You must return your scratch paper after completing the exam.
• No personal belongings are allowed in the testing area. You will need to leave them in your car.
• You may leave the testing area at any time to stretch or use the restroom. Keep in mind, though, that your test timer will not stop.
• Be on time. If you arrive more than fifteen minutes late, you will not be admitted to take the exam.
• You will need to show two forms of identification, with at least one showing a current photograph. Both forms must be current and must include a signature.

What are the admission requirements for the Clinical Simulations Exam?

This is the basic qualification for most students, although there are others that can be found on the NBRC website.

Be aware of the 3-year time limit!

You must pass the Clinical Simulations Exam within three years after graduating for a CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program.

If you do not pass it within this time limit, you will be required to retake (and pass) the TMC Exam again at the high-cut score to regain eligibility.

Outside of the three-year time frame, any previous passing performance to earn the RRT credential is nullified — so please be aware of this.

How much does it cost to take the Clinical Simulations Exam?

The exam costs $200 for both new and repeat applicants. I realize that this is a significant investment, which is why it is our goal to help you pass the exam on your next attempt.

This is another reason why it’s so critical to use a reliable study guide that can truly prepare you for the exam. Otherwise, there’s a good chance that you’ll have to retake the exam, which means you’ll have to pay that exam fee again.

We see this far too often with students.

The good news it, if you put in the work by studying and preparing well, you can pass the exam on your first (or next) attempt, and you’ll only have to pay the fee once.

What content will be on the CSE?

As we’ve already discussed, the same content that was on the TMC Exam will be on the CSE as well. They just ask it to you in a totally different way.

A big focus of the CSE will be on Pathology. You absolutely must how to differentiate and treat the different diseases and what to recommend for these specific patients on a case by case basis.

That is the major focus of the CSE — like it or not.

The NBRC put out a detailed content outline of exactly what to look for on the CSE. I highly recommend that you take a look over it and you can do so by visiting this link.

How are the problems structured on the CSE?

So in order to accomplish this, they have laid out the problem in a completely different way compared to the traditional multiple-choice layout that we’re all accustomed to.

Here’s an example of how the problems will be structured on the computer screen:

As you can see, 3 windows will appear on the screen at all times during the exam.

1) There is a window with the “Scenario” at top of the screen, and your picture will be displayed in the upper right-hand corner of this window.

Each simulation begins with a brief paragraph in this window that provides preliminary information about the patient. The following sections will contain information about the changing patient situation in this window as well.

Each Scenario Window will also provide you with specific instructions about whether to “CHOOSE ONLY ONE” response in the section or to “SELECT AS MANY” responses as appropriate to gather information.

It is super-important that you follow these directions!

2) The “Options” window is displayed in the lower left portion of the screen. This window contains all options, choices, or possible responses that you can choose from.

You select an option by clicking the check box next to the option.

3) The “Simulation History” window is displayed as the lower right portion of the screen. This window shows the options chosen in the current section and the results for each choice are displayed in this window.

It also shows the “Simulation History” from all previous sections as well as the options chosen.

Basically, it helps you see the results that you selected already, in case you forgot.

When you are finished with a particular section, you can hit the “Go To Next Section” button at the bottom left of the screen to continue to the next section.

A box will pop up requesting that you confirm your wish to continue to the next section. Be sure to only click the “Yes” button when you are 100% ready to proceed to the next section, because you can’t go back.

A timer button is shown in the lower right portion of the screen and displays the time remaining for the exam. You may hide the time remaining button if you wish, simply by clicking it.

CSE Scoring

Two of the problems are pretested scenarios that are individually scored based on the judgment of the NBRC committee. The total points scored on these will be added to your results at the end.

Each version of the exam will be different which means that each version will have a minimum passing score. Of course, this is decided by the testing committee for each exam.

On average, you will need to score roughly a 72% in order to pass the CSE.

That doesn’t sound so bad, right?

The scoring scale runs from –3 points up to 3 points. That’s right, folks. You can earn up to 3 points or you can lose up to 3 points, depending on the selections that you make.

• Usually, there will be one best available answer that gives maximum points. (+3)
  • It is necessary for proper care and not doing it would cause harm to the patient.
• You can earn (+2) points for selecting very important information for good patient care.
• You can get (+1) for information that is helpful.
• You get 0 points for the selections you make that are neither helpful nor harmful to the patient.

• You lose a point (–1) for selecting something that is counterproductive.
• You lose two points (–2) for making a selection that is very counterproductive.
• You lose three points (–3) for making a selection that is detrimental to the patient.
  • This includes any selection that could result in harming the patient, or worse.

What are the Components of a Clinical Simulation Problem?

1. Scenario – This establishes the setting and general parameters of the patient and (you) the Respiratory Therapist.
2. Information Gathering – This section provides information about the patient that is normally obtained in chart review or diagnostic testing, such as vital signs, ABG results, etc.
3. Decision Making – This is the decision point that you will need to recommend what happens next for the patient.

We will discuss each of these 3 components in more detail below.

How to Prepare for the CSE?

We’ve already touched on this earlier, but now, let’s dive a little bit deeper.

In order to increase your chances of passing the exam, you need to be prepared for the unique exam structure. As we said, the CSE covers much of the same topical content as the TMC Exam, they just ask it in a totally different way.

You have to take what you know and apply it to a real-life situation in order to make a decision to help the patient — just as if it were in a real hospital.

What Diseases will be on the CSE?

Now let’s talk about all the different diseases that you must know for the exam.

As you now know, Cardiopulmonary Pathology is super-important in regard to the Clinical Simulations Exam! It’s what you should spend most of your time on when preparing for the exam.

Here are the 8 disease categories that you should focus on when preparing for the CSE:

What is the structure of the CSE?

Again, we already talked about this some earlier. But now, let’s dive deeper into the Scenario, Information Gathering, and Decision Making.

Scenario

This is also where you will find out the general information about the patient, including their: age, sex, general appearance, and general presenting conditions.

Information Gathering

They will list out 15-20 parameters for you to choose from.

For example, you will see vital signs, ABG, PFT, and various lab studies.

You must select ONLY those that are important for this patient at this particular time given what you know.

Avoid selecting anything that could be dangerous for the patient. Also, of course, avoid selecting anything that you know is unnecessary for the patient at this time.

Select only the desired information!

Once you click an option to make a selection, it will reveal that results of what you clicked on the screen.

For example, if you select that the patient needs an ABG, as soon as you click that option, it’s going to show you the patient’s ABG results on the screen.

You can then act immediately, for example, if their results were to show that they are in respiratory failure. If that were the case, what would you do?

When your list of choices is available, there is a specific order that you should go through when making your selections. I’m going to share that with you now:

Visual

For example, general appearance, appearance of the chest, respiratory rate, respiratory pattern, posture, sensorium, and color.

These are the things that you can literally see with your eyes. Choose all of these first. Then ask yourself, “Is there an emergency?” If not, then move on to the bedside choices.

Bedside

For example, pulse, temperature, chest percussion, breath sounds, blood pressure, heart sounds, tracheal position, and capnometry, etc.

These are the things that can literally be done/checked at the patient’s bedside. After you’ve gone through the choices, is there an emergency? If no, move on to the basic lab tests.

Basic Lab Tests

These are your basic tests that still aren’t difficult to perform but are only necessary if indicated for some patients. Still no emergency? Move along to the special tests.

Special Tests

Examples include lab tests like blood culture, PFTs, imaging studies like MRIs, CT scans, bronchoscopy, ICP, hemodynamic monitoring, and specific tests like sweat chloride test for CF, Apgar score, V/Q scan, etc.

These tests are very specific for specific patient situations.

After making all necessary selections, you should interpret the data and make proper decisions in the next section.

For example, you probably don’t need the check any PFT results for a patient with ARDS.

Not every test should be selected for every patient. Only those that are pertinent to their situation. Are you following me here? If so, good — let’s keep moving!

Decision Making

This is where you must take what you know from the information given and make the best possible decision for the patient.

Usually, you will be asked to select the best of 4–5 options.

Keep in mind, sometimes you will have to make the Best Available selection if the most desired option is not listed.

Once you make the selection, it will usually say: “Physician Agrees. Done.”

This pattern between Information Gathering and Decision Making usually cycles back and forth about 4–5 times for each problem.

You take what they give you, gather the necessary information, then make the best decision possible for the patient.

Boom, easy peasy!

I hope this simplifies things for you! It’s not as bad as people make it out to be. You just have to take it one step at a time.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it! That wraps up this guide on how to prepare for (and pass) the clinical simulations exam. I truly hope that this information was helpful for you.

This wasn’t meant to teach you everything you need to know in order to pass the CSE. We couldn’t possibly fit everything into one article.

However, this information will definitely set you on the right path to learning exactly what you need to know so that you can earn your RRT credential. Thank you so much for reading all the way to the end. I wish you the best of luck and as always, breathe easy my friend.