CRRN Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation 3

Question 1

A patient in Phase III cardiac rehabilitation reports new onset exertional chest pain with radiation to the left arm during today's session. Which is the PRIORITY nursing action?

Accepted Answer

Stop exercise immediately, administer nitroglycerin if prescribed, call emergency services

Answer

Finish the session and document the complaint

Answer

Reduce exercise intensity by 50% and monitor

Answer

Ask the patient to rate the pain and continue if below 5/10

Question 2

A patient with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is enrolled in cardiac rehabilitation. Which safety parameter is MOST important to establish before exercise?

Accepted Answer

ICD firing threshold and prescribed heart rate ceiling for exercise

Answer

Maximum walking distance

Answer

Preferred exercise equipment type

Answer

Patient's previous athletic history

Question 3

A COPD patient's rehabilitation outcome goal is to climb one flight of stairs independently. Which functional outcome measure BEST tracks this specific goal?

Accepted Answer

Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT)

Answer

FEV1/FVC ratio

Answer

Arterial blood gas values

Answer

Peak expiratory flow rate

Question 4

A patient post-myocardial infarction asks when sexual activity can be safely resumed. Which guideline is MOST appropriate for the CRRN to share?

Accepted Answer

Sexual activity equivalent to climbing two flights of stairs (approximately 3–5 METs) can typically resume in 2–4 weeks if the patient is stable

Answer

Sexual activity should be permanently avoided after MI

Answer

Wait at least 6 months before any sexual activity

Answer

Sexual activity has no cardiac risk and can resume immediately

Question 5

A patient with pulmonary fibrosis begins pulmonary rehabilitation. Which adaptive strategy BEST helps conserve energy during ADLs?

Accepted Answer

Use pursed-lip breathing, sit for tasks when possible, and organize activities to avoid unnecessary steps

Answer

Perform all ADLs rapidly to minimize total activity time

Answer

Avoid all ADLs and depend on caregivers entirely

Answer

Use supplemental oxygen only during sleep

Question 6

Which lab value change MOST warrants withholding cardiac rehabilitation exercise and notifying the physician?

Accepted Answer

Potassium 2.8 mEq/L

Answer

Hemoglobin 13.5 g/dL

Answer

Sodium 138 mEq/L

Answer

Blood glucose 105 mg/dL