Learn the order
Practice the difference between information that matters now, data that can wait, and actions that would dangerously delay care.
20 clinically validated cases
Free NBRC CSE Practice
20 Respiratory Therapy Clinical Simulations
Learn what to assess first, when to act, and how to correct the sequence when you miss.
SimGenius delivers original, source-cited cases for current NBRC Clinical Simulation Examination preparation and the Information Gathering, Decision Making, and clinical-judgment skills retained in the 2027 Respiratory Therapy Examination.
Information GatheringDecision MakingCorrective Replay
Start a free CSE simulationClinically validated · version 6
Moderate-Severe ARDS
Advanced4 min
Priority 013 checkpoints
Information Gathering · Priority 01
Select the priority assessment
Which measurements are essential before changing ventilation?
Choose the single best next move.
Evidence packet · 3 sources
Credentialing context
This exercise teaches prioritization for respiratory credentialing examinations. Exam scenarios simplify clinical situations and may present decisions sequentially even when actions occur simultaneously or vary by protocol in practice. Follow current evidence, local policy, and clinical judgment in patient care.
PulmTools is not affiliated with or endorsed by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
Correct the miss
Get concise feedback at the moment of error, then replay the entire case as a clean clinical sequence.
Train safe priorities
Immediate airway, breathing, circulation, and other time-critical threats stay ahead of lower-yield testing.
Free NBRC clinical simulation preparation
Free CSE simulations for respiratory therapy students
SimGenius is free NBRC CSE practice built around a deceptively difficult skill: choosing what to collect or do next. Each respiratory therapy clinical simulation asks you to recognize the immediate threat, select high-value information, act when enough evidence is available, and reassess the response.
The current NBRC Clinical Simulation Examination separates performance into Information Gathering and Decision Making. The NBRC says the current CSE contains 22 problems—20 scored problems and two pretest problems—with four hours of testing time. Its announced 2027 Respiratory Therapy Examination continues to measure clinical judgment through Information Gathering and Decision Making.
These are original, source-cited PulmTools cases rather than recalled examination questions. Every case in this RRT clinical simulation practice library has one defensible best answer at each checkpoint, targeted feedback for every option, and a corrective replay that shows the cleaner sequence.
How to practice for the NBRC CSE
Turn every missed choice into a better clinical sequence
- 1
Choose what matters now
Treat each checkpoint like the exam: collect focused information before selecting a management action.
- 2
Read why the distractor fails
Compare the tempting alternative with the best next move instead of memorizing only the correct letter.
- 3
Replay the clean sequence
Use corrective replay to rehearse Information Gathering, Decision Making, and reassessment in the right order.
Free respiratory therapy case library
Practice all 20 NBRC CSE clinical simulations
Work through adult, neonatal, airway, ventilation, oxygenation, emergency, and chronic respiratory scenarios. Each link opens the selected case at the simulator.
- 1Moderate-Severe ARDSAdult Medical/Surgical · Advanced · 4 min
- 2Asthma Discharge PlanningAdult Chronic Airways Disease · Foundations · 4 min
- 3Chronic Productive CoughAdult Chronic Airways Disease · Intermediate · 4 min
- 4Smoke Exposure with Neurologic SymptomsAdult Medical/Surgical · Intermediate · 4 min
- 5Acute Cardiogenic Pulmonary EdemaAdult Cardiovascular · Intermediate · 4 min
- 6COPD: Post-Intubation HypotensionAdult Chronic Airways Disease · Advanced · 4 min
- 7COPD Discharge PlanningAdult Chronic Airways Disease · Foundations · 4 min
- 8COPD Exacerbation with HypercapniaAdult Chronic Airways Disease · Intermediate · 4 min
- 9Cystic Fibrosis Pulmonary ExacerbationAdult Medical/Surgical · Intermediate · 4 min
- 10Infant with Viral Respiratory DistressPediatric · Foundations · 4 min
- 11Myasthenia with Progressive DyspneaAdult Neurologic/Neuromuscular · Advanced · 4 min
- 12Apneic Newborn after Meconium-Stained DeliveryNeonatal · Advanced · 4 min
- 13Pediatric Asthma ExacerbationPediatric · Intermediate · 4 min
- 14Pneumonia with Suspected SepsisAdult Medical/Surgical · Advanced · 4 min
- 15Postoperative SomnolenceAdult Medical/Surgical · Foundations · 4 min
- 16Preterm Infant with Respiratory DistressNeonatal · Advanced · 4 min
- 17Suspected Pulmonary EmbolismAdult Cardiovascular · Advanced · 4 min
- 18Severe Asthma in the Emergency DepartmentAdult Chronic Airways Disease · Intermediate · 4 min
- 19Status Asthmaticus: Elevated Airway PressuresAdult Chronic Airways Disease · Advanced · 4 min
- 20Chest Trauma with Acute DeteriorationAdult Trauma · Advanced · 4 min
Questions students ask
NBRC clinical simulation practice FAQ
Is SimGenius a free NBRC CSE practice test?
SimGenius is a free, independent NBRC CSE practice tool with 20 original respiratory therapy clinical simulations. It is not an official NBRC practice exam and does not reproduce secure or recalled test questions.
How can I practice Information Gathering for the NBRC CSE?
Work each case in sequence and choose only the information that changes immediate care. SimGenius labels lower-priority data, unsafe delays, and the best next move so you can learn what to collect first and what can wait.
How many free CSE simulations are included?
SimGenius includes 20 source-cited respiratory therapy cases with three sequential checkpoints per case, immediate answer feedback, and an end-of-case corrective replay.
Does SimGenius follow the NBRC clinical simulation framework?
SimGenius is informed by public NBRC examination outlines and trains Information Gathering, Decision Making, and clinical sequencing. It is an independent PulmTools study tool and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NBRC.
Will clinical simulation skills still matter after the 2027 NBRC exam change?
Yes. The NBRC has announced a single Respiratory Therapy Examination beginning in January 2027, and its published framework continues to assess clinical judgment through Information Gathering and Decision Making.
How does SimGenius explain a wrong answer?
Each choice is classified as the best next move, useful later, low yield now, or an unsafe delay. Corrective replay then shows the ideal sequence and identifies exactly where the learner drifted.
Build the respiratory foundation behind the sequence
Strengthen the calculations and pattern recognition that clinical simulations depend on.
SimGenius for iPhone + Android
Train smarter between cases. Turn weak spots into your next session.
PulmTools Premium turns your SimGenius history into adaptive targeted practice, progress trends, and timely review reminders.
Target weak spots
Build adaptive sessions from the decisions you miss.
See your trends
Follow mastery, safety, clean streaks, and completed cases.
Review on time
Use smart reminders to keep priority sequencing fresh.
Coming soon on iPhone + AndroidFree clinical simulations with optional Premium adaptive learning features.
