Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Flashcards

A patient with heart failure (HF) is discharged from inpatient rehabilitation. Which daily monitoring instruction is MOST important for early detection of decompensation?

Answer: Weigh daily at the same time and report a gain of 2–3 lbs in 24 hours or 5 lbs in a week

Daily weights detect fluid retention early in HF; a weight gain of 2–3 lbs in 24 hours or 5 lbs in a week signals impending decompensation requiring immediate medical contact.

A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is performing diaphragmatic breathing exercises. Which cue is MOST appropriate for the nurse to provide?

Answer: Place one hand on your chest and one on your belly; let your belly rise first

Diaphragmatic breathing training cues the patient to use the diaphragm by expanding the abdomen (belly) rather than the chest during inhalation.

A patient with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) begins supervised exercise rehabilitation. Which type of exercise has the STRONGEST evidence for improving walking distance?

Answer: Supervised treadmill walking to the point of moderate claudication pain, then rest

Supervised treadmill walking to the threshold of claudication pain followed by rest is the most evidence-based exercise intervention for improving walking distance in PAD.

A rehabilitation nurse is teaching a patient with atrial fibrillation about anticoagulation therapy with warfarin. Which food should the patient be educated to maintain at a CONSISTENT level in their diet?

Answer: Vitamin K-rich foods such as leafy green vegetables

Vitamin K affects warfarin metabolism; consistent (not eliminated) consumption of Vitamin K-rich foods is key to maintaining a stable INR.

When documenting a cardiac rehabilitation patient's exercise tolerance using METs (metabolic equivalents), which MET level corresponds to light household activities such as slow walking?

Answer: 1–2 METs

Light household activities and slow walking require approximately 1–2 METs, which is used as a baseline for graded activity prescriptions in cardiac rehab.

A pulmonary rehabilitation patient asks about the benefits of respiratory muscle training. Which response by the CRRN is MOST accurate?

Answer: It can improve inspiratory muscle strength, reduce dyspnea, and enhance exercise capacity

Inspiratory muscle training strengthens the respiratory muscles, which reduces dyspnea perception and improves functional exercise capacity, though it does not reverse underlying COPD pathology.