Exercise Testing Flashcards

What is the primary purpose of graded exercise testing (GXT) in cardiac rehabilitation?

Answer: Assess functional capacity and cardiovascular response to exercise

GXT assesses a patient's functional capacity and cardiovascular response to increasing workloads to guide exercise prescription and identify potential ischemia.

Which Bruce Protocol stage corresponds to approximately 7 METs of workload?

Answer: Stage 2 (2.5 mph, 12% grade)

Bruce Protocol Stage 2 (2.5 mph at 12% grade) corresponds to approximately 7 METs of metabolic workload.

On the Borg 6-20 RPE scale, which rating corresponds to 'somewhat hard' exercise intensity?

Answer: 13

A rating of 13 on the Borg 6-20 RPE scale corresponds to 'somewhat hard,' which is often within the target intensity range for cardiac rehabilitation exercise.

Which ECG finding during exercise testing is most diagnostic of myocardial ischemia?

Answer: Horizontal or downsloping ST depression 1 mm or greater

Horizontal or downsloping ST depression of 1 mm or more measured at 80 ms after the J-point during exercise is the classic ECG indicator of exercise-induced myocardial ischemia.

According to AHA guidelines, what level of ST depression is a relative indication to terminate an exercise stress test?

Answer: 2 mm or more horizontal or downsloping ST depression

2 mm or more of horizontal or downsloping ST depression is a relative indication for test termination per AHA/ACC guidelines, reflecting a level of ischemia that poses significant patient risk.

The 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) is most appropriate for assessing functional capacity in which patient population?

Answer: Patients with moderate-to-severe functional limitations who cannot perform treadmill testing

The 6MWT is a simple, submaximal test ideal for patients with moderate-to-severe functional limitations, providing a practical measure of exercise tolerance without requiring maximal effort.

During cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), a respiratory exchange ratio (RER) of 1.10 or greater indicates what?

Answer: A near-maximal or maximal exercise effort

An RER of 1.10 or greater during CPET confirms a near-maximal or maximal effort, as excess CO2 from lactate buffering exceeds O2 consumption, validating peak VO2 as a true maximum.