CCRP Exercise Testing 3

Question 1

Which exercise test protocol is most appropriate for elderly or severely deconditioned cardiac rehabilitation patients?

Accepted Answer

Naughton Protocol

Answer

The Naughton Protocol uses small approximately 1-MET workload increments with 2-minute stages, making it the most appropriate choice for elderly or severely deconditioned patients who cannot tolerate the larger increments of the standard Bruce Protocol.

Question 2

What is the expected normal systolic blood pressure response during progressive treadmill exercise testing?

Accepted Answer

Increases progressively, typically by approximately 10 mmHg per MET

Answer

Normal systolic BP rises progressively during exercise (approximately 10 mmHg per MET) as cardiac output increases, while diastolic BP typically remains stable or decreases slightly.

Question 3

Exercise-induced ST elevation in leads WITHOUT pathological Q waves most likely indicates which condition?

Accepted Answer

Severe transmural ischemia or coronary artery spasm

Answer

ST elevation in leads without Q waves during exercise indicates severe transmural ischemia or coronary vasospasm (Prinzmetal's angina), distinguishing it from reciprocal changes seen in leads with prior infarction Q waves.

Question 4

What is the primary advantage of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) over conventional graded exercise testing (GXT)?

Accepted Answer

CPET provides direct measurement of VO2, ventilatory threshold, and respiratory gas exchange ratios

Answer

CPET adds breath-by-breath gas analysis to standard exercise testing, enabling direct measurement of VO2, VCO2, ventilatory threshold, and RER for more precise functional capacity assessment and risk stratification.

Question 5

A 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) distance below what threshold is associated with poor prognosis in heart failure patients?

Accepted Answer

300 meters

Answer

A 6MWT distance below 300 meters in heart failure patients is associated with significantly increased morbidity and mortality, indicating severely impaired functional capacity.

CCRP - Certified Cardiac Rehabilitation Professional Practice Test

CCRP - Certified Cardiac Rehabilitation Professional Practice Test

CCRP Exercise Testing 3