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Clinical Exercise Testing Flashcards

7 cards from real ACSM practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

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  1. Which absolute contraindication requires immediate termination of a graded exercise test?

    Answer: Systolic BP drop >10 mmHg from baseline with increasing workload

    A drop in systolic BP of >10 mmHg from baseline despite increasing workload is an absolute indication to stop the test due to risk of cardiovascular collapse.

  2. During a maximal GXT, a patient develops ST-segment depression of 3 mm at 70% of predicted max HR. What is the most appropriate action?

    Answer: Terminate the test immediately

    ST depression ≥2 mm is an absolute indication to stop the test because it suggests significant myocardial ischemia.

  3. What is the primary purpose of a cool-down period following a maximal exercise test?

    Answer: To prevent venous pooling and reduce risk of post-exercise hypotension

    Active cool-down maintains venous return via muscle pump action, preventing the venous pooling that can cause orthostatic hypotension after exercise ceases.

  4. In the Bruce treadmill protocol, how do workload increments change between stages?

    Answer: Both speed and grade increase simultaneously every 3 minutes

    The Bruce protocol increases both treadmill speed and percent grade simultaneously at each 3-minute stage.

  5. Which spirometry value is most useful for detecting obstructive pulmonary disease before an exercise test?

    Answer: FEV1/FVC ratio

    A reduced FEV1/FVC ratio (<0.70) is the hallmark diagnostic criterion for airflow obstruction in conditions like COPD and asthma.

  6. A patient's VO2 at ventilatory threshold is 22 mL/kg/min. This value is best used to:

    Answer: Set upper intensity boundary for aerobic exercise prescription

    The ventilatory threshold (VT) represents the upper limit of sustainable aerobic exercise and is used to set the top of the target training zone.

  7. During a submaximal cycle ergometer test, heart rate is 148 bpm at 150 W. The next stage raises power to 200 W, and HR climbs to 163 bpm. Which assumption underlies VO2max extrapolation from these data?

    Answer: VO2 and HR increase linearly with workload up to maximum

    Submaximal extrapolation methods assume a linear HR–VO2 relationship that continues to predicted maximum heart rate.