Stress Testing Procedures Flashcards
7 cards from real CET practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Stress Testing Procedures flashcards as text
A patient develops a left bundle branch block (LBBB) during exercise that was not present on the resting ECG. How does this affect stress test interpretation?
Answer: It makes ST analysis unreliable for ischemia detection
Exercise-induced LBBB renders ST-segment analysis invalid for ischemia because LBBB itself causes secondary ST changes.
During adenosine pharmacologic stress testing, which symptom is expected and not a reason to stop the infusion?
Answer: Chest flushing or mild chest pressure
Mild chest pressure and flushing are common, expected side effects of adenosine and do not require termination of the infusion.
Which of the following is the reversal agent for adenosine during pharmacologic stress testing?
Answer: Aminophylline
Aminophylline (a xanthine derivative) competitively antagonizes adenosine receptors and is the reversal agent for adverse adenosine reactions.
What does MET (metabolic equivalent of task) measure in the context of stress testing?
Answer: Exercise capacity expressed as multiples of resting oxygen consumption
One MET equals the resting oxygen consumption (~3.5 mL O₂/kg/min), and exercise capacity in METs reflects cardiovascular fitness.
A patient taking beta-blockers before a stress test will most likely exhibit:
Answer: Attenuated heart rate and blood pressure response to exercise
Beta-blockers blunt the chronotropic and inotropic response to exercise, making it harder to achieve target heart rate and reducing BP rise.
Which stress test protocol is most appropriate for elderly or deconditioned patients who may not tolerate the standard Bruce Protocol?
Answer: Modified Bruce Protocol
The Modified Bruce Protocol adds two lower-workload stages before the standard Stage 1, making it suitable for deconditioned or elderly patients.
In stress testing, 'chronotropic incompetence' refers to:
Answer: Inability to achieve 85% of MPHR despite maximal effort
Chronotropic incompetence is the failure to achieve ≥85% of MPHR during maximal exercise, indicating sinus node dysfunction or drug effect.