17 Respiratory Nurse Interview Questions and Answers

Caring for patients with respiratory conditions is the focus of a respiratory nurse’s job. These nurses work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and home health care agencies. No matter where they work, they need to be able to assess patients, develop and implement treatment plans, and educate patients and their families about their condition.

If you’re a respiratory nurse who is looking for a new job, you may be asked to participate in a job interview. This meeting gives you an opportunity to show a potential employer that you have the skills and experience needed to excel in the position. It also allows the employer to get to know you and to determine if you’re a good fit for the organization.

To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of common respiratory nurse interview questions and answers.

Are you certified in respiratory care?

The interviewer may ask this question to determine if you have the necessary certifications for the position. If you are not certified, explain what steps you took to become certified and when you plan on taking the exam.

Example: “I am currently working toward my certification in respiratory care. I started studying for the test last year and hope to take it by the end of 2018. My previous employer offered a tuition reimbursement program that helped me pay for most of the cost of the certification.”

What are the most common respiratory disorders you have treated in your career?

This question can help the interviewer gain insight into your experience and knowledge of treating patients with respiratory disorders. When answering this question, it can be beneficial to mention a few common conditions you have treated in the past and how you helped those patients.

Example: “In my last role as a respiratory nurse, I primarily worked with patients who had asthma or COPD. I also assisted other nurses when they were working with patients who had pneumonia or emphysema. In all cases, I used my skills and training to assess the patient’s condition and administer treatment that would improve their symptoms and overall health.”

How would you manage a patient who is experiencing respiratory distress?

This question can help the interviewer assess your ability to manage a patient’s care and ensure their safety. When answering, it can be helpful to provide an example of how you would respond to this situation in your previous role.

Example: “When caring for a patient who is experiencing respiratory distress, I first make sure that they are safe by ensuring there is no risk of them falling out of bed or becoming entangled in tubes. Then, I check on the patient every five minutes until they are stable. If they are still having difficulty breathing after several minutes, I will call for assistance from another nurse so we can monitor the patient together.”

What is your process for educating patients on how to manage their respiratory disorder?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your teaching skills and how you can help patients manage their respiratory disorders. Use examples from previous experiences where you helped patients understand the best ways to care for themselves or monitor their own conditions.

Example: “I always start by asking them what they already know about their disorder, so I can make sure that I’m covering all of the important information. Then, I explain the basics of their condition and how it affects their health. Finally, I teach them how to use any equipment they need to monitor their symptoms or administer medication.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to provide emotional support to a patient or their family.

Emotional support is an important part of the nursing profession. Interviewers ask this question to see if you have experience providing emotional support and how you did it. Use your answer to show that you are compassionate, empathetic and willing to help others in need.

Example: “When I was working as a nurse at a hospital, one of my patients had just lost her husband. She was very upset about his death and wanted to know why he died. I told her that we would do everything we could to find out what happened so she could get closure. We found out that he died from a rare disease, but there wasn’t much we could do to prevent it from happening again. The patient appreciated knowing the truth and felt better after talking with me.”

If a patient was not responding to treatment, what would be your first course of action?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to prioritize. It also allows you to demonstrate your knowledge of the treatment process for respiratory patients.

Example: “If a patient was not responding to treatment, I would first check their vital signs to ensure they were stable. If they were, I would then assess whether there was any change in their condition or symptoms. If there wasn’t, I would call my supervisor to discuss what could be causing the issue. If there was a change in their condition or symptoms, I would immediately contact my supervisor so that we could begin treatment.”

What would you do if you noticed a fellow nurse or respiratory technician was not following safety protocols?

Interviewers want to know that you are a team player and will support your colleagues when they make mistakes. In your answer, show the interviewer that you can be honest with your coworkers while also encouraging them to do better next time.

Example: “If I noticed my colleague was not following safety protocols, I would first ask if there was an emergency situation that required them to break protocol. If they said no, I would tell them about the importance of adhering to safety procedures and encourage them to try again next time. If it happened again, I would report them to our supervisor so they could address the issue.”

How well do you work under pressure? Can you think clearly and perform tasks quickly when a patient is in distress?

When an interviewer asks this question, they want to know how you perform under pressure and whether you can stay calm in a crisis. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you are able to remain calm when working with patients who are experiencing respiratory distress.

Example: “I have worked as a nurse for many years now, so I am used to working under pressure. However, I always try to keep my composure and focus on the task at hand. In my experience, remaining calm is one of the best ways to help patients feel more comfortable during their treatment.”

Do you have experience working with children who have respiratory disorders?

The interviewer may ask this question to determine if you have experience working with children and their families. They want to know how comfortable you are in these situations, as well as your communication skills when working with young patients. In your answer, try to highlight any specific experiences you’ve had working with pediatric patients.

Example: “I worked at a hospital that specialized in treating children with respiratory disorders. I was the primary nurse for many of our pediatric patients, so I got to know each family very well. The parents would often tell me about their child’s personality, which helped me understand what they needed from me during treatment. I also learned how to communicate with kids who were scared or nervous about their treatments.”

When performing chest physiotherapy, what is the purpose of the up and down motions?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the role you play in a patient’s recovery. You can answer this question by explaining what you do during chest physiotherapy and how it helps patients recover from their illness or injury.

Example: “During chest physiotherapy, I perform up and down motions on my patient’s chest to help them clear secretions from their lungs. This process also helps loosen mucus so that they can cough more easily. By performing these motions regularly, I am able to ensure that my patients are getting enough oxygen into their bloodstreams.”

We want to improve our infection control procedures. What would you do to improve our current practices?

Infection control is a vital part of the respiratory care industry. Employers ask this question to make sure you understand how important infection control procedures are and that you have ideas for improving their current practices. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to improve infection control in the hospital or clinic where you work.

Example: “I think it’s very important to follow strict infection control procedures. I would start by making sure all staff members wash their hands before entering patient rooms. I would also ensure that we use sterile equipment when administering treatment and dispose of waste properly. We should also regularly monitor patients for signs of infection and report any concerns to medical professionals.”

Describe your experience with using nebulizers and inhalers.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with administering medications and treatments. Use examples from your previous job or describe how you would use nebulizers and inhalers if you have not used them before.

Example: “In my last position, I administered nebulizer treatments twice a day for patients who had respiratory issues. I also monitored their vital signs during the treatment to ensure they were safe. In addition, I administered inhaler treatments once a day for patients who needed it. I always made sure that the patient was in a comfortable position when using an inhaler.”

What makes you stand out from other candidates for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their team. When answering, it’s important to highlight a skill or experience that makes you unique from other candidates. You may also want to mention something that is relevant to the job description.

Example: “I have extensive knowledge of respiratory illnesses and treatments. I’ve worked in several different hospitals with varying patient populations, so I am familiar with many common conditions. In my last position, I was responsible for creating a database of all patients’ medical histories. This helped me create an organized system for tracking information and identifying trends.”

Which respiratory disorders do you feel are most common in the area you would be working in?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your knowledge of the local community and how you would fit in. It also helps them understand what types of patients you might be working with on a daily basis. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention some common disorders that are prevalent in the area and why they’re important to treat.

Example: “In my current city, I feel asthma is one of the most common respiratory disorders. This is because there are many factories nearby where people work, which can cause issues with air quality. Asthma is something that should always be treated as soon as possible, so I make sure to educate my patients about their condition and how to prevent flare-ups.”

What do you think is the most important skill for a respiratory nurse to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine what you value in a respiratory nurse and how your skills match those values. When answering this question, it can be helpful to identify one skill that is important to you and explain why it’s so valuable.

Example: “I think the most important skill for a respiratory nurse is empathy. I’ve worked with many nurses who are very knowledgeable about their patients’ conditions but don’t have much compassion for them. This can make patients feel like they’re just another number on the hospital roster rather than an individual. As a respiratory nurse, I want my patients to know that I care about them as people and will do everything I can to ensure they get better.”

How often should you perform chest physiotherapy on a patient?

Chest physiotherapy is a common treatment for patients with respiratory conditions. The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your knowledge of the procedure and how often you perform it on patients. In your answer, explain that chest physiotherapy should be performed at least twice daily or as prescribed by a physician.

Example: “I always make sure to perform chest physiotherapy on my patients at least twice per day. I find that performing it more frequently can help improve patient outcomes. However, I also respect the decisions of physicians who prescribe different treatment plans.”

There is a new treatment for a common respiratory disorder that has a high success rate. How would you introduce it to your patients?

This question is an opportunity to show your communication skills and how you can help patients understand new treatments. You can answer this question by describing a specific situation in which you introduced a treatment to a patient or group of patients.

Example: “When I was working with a respiratory therapist, we developed a new treatment for sleep apnea that involved using a CPAP machine while sleeping. We explained the benefits of the treatment and showed our patients how to use the equipment before they left the hospital. This helped them feel more confident when they went home and used the equipment on their own.”