CCI - Cardiovascular Credentialing International Cardiac Stress Testing Protocols Questions and Answers

Question 1

An 82-year-old female with limited mobility due to severe osteoarthritis is referred for a symptom-limited stress test to evaluate exertional dyspnea.
Which of the following treadmill protocols would be most appropriate for this patient?

Accepted Answer

Naughton Protocol

Answer

Standard Bruce Protocol

Answer

Dobutamine Stress Protocol

Answer

Ellestad Protocol

Question 2

What are the defining characteristics of each stage in the standard Bruce treadmill protocol?

Accepted Answer

The speed and grade both increase every 3 minutes.

Answer

The speed increases every 2 minutes while the grade remains constant.

Answer

The grade increases every 3 minutes while the speed remains constant.

Answer

The speed and grade both remain constant, but the duration of exercise is extended.

Question 3

A patient undergoing a dobutamine stress echocardiogram is unable to reach their target heart rate with the maximal dobutamine infusion. Which medication is commonly administered adjunctively to help achieve the target heart rate?

Accepted Answer

Atropine

Answer

Metoprolol

Answer

Adenosine

Answer

Lidocaine

Question 4

According to ACC/AHA guidelines, which of the following is considered an absolute indication to terminate an exercise stress test?

Accepted Answer

Drop in systolic blood pressure >10 mmHg from baseline, accompanied by other evidence of ischemia

Answer

Patient request to stop

Answer

ST-segment depression of 2 mm

Answer

Development of multifocal PVCs

Question 5

A 55-year-old patient is scheduled for a treadmill stress test. What is the patient's age-predicted maximum heart rate (APMHR), and what is the heart rate corresponding to 85% of the maximum, a common target for a diagnostically adequate study?

Accepted Answer

APMHR: 165 bpm; 85% Target: 140 bpm

Answer

APMHR: 175 bpm; 85% Target: 149 bpm

Answer

APMHR: 155 bpm; 85% Target: 132 bpm

Answer

APMHR: 160 bpm; 85% Target: 145 bpm

Question 6

A patient with a history of severe, active bronchospastic asthma requires a pharmacologic stress test. Which of the following agents is most strongly contraindicated?

Accepted Answer

Adenosine

Answer

Dobutamine

Answer

Isoproterenol

Answer

Regadenoson

An 82-year-old female with limited mobility due to severe osteoarthritis is referred for a symptom-limited stress test to evaluate exertional dyspnea.Which of the following treadmill protocols would be most appropriate for this patient?

An 82-year-old female with limited mobility due to severe osteoarthritis is referred for a symptom-limited stress test to evaluate exertional dyspnea.
Which of the following treadmill protocols would be most appropriate for this patient?