Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Flashcards

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?

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

New exertional chest pain with radiation is a cardiac emergency; exercise must stop immediately, prescribed nitroglycerin administered, and emergency services activated.

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

Answer: ICD firing threshold and prescribed heart rate ceiling for exercise

The ICD shock threshold and exercise heart rate ceiling must be established with the electrophysiologist to prevent inappropriate device activation during cardiac rehab.

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

Answer: Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT)

The 6MWT measures submaximal functional exercise capacity and correlates with daily activity limitations, making it the most appropriate tool to track functional goals in COPD rehab.

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

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

Sexual activity requires approximately 3–5 METs, similar to climbing two flights of stairs; stable post-MI patients are typically cleared for resumption within 2–4 weeks.

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

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

Energy conservation techniques — including sitting for tasks, organizing the environment, and controlled breathing — reduce oxygen demand and dyspnea during ADLs in pulmonary fibrosis.

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

Answer: Potassium 2.8 mEq/L

Hypokalemia (K+ < 3.0 mEq/L) increases the risk of life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias during exercise and is a contraindication to proceeding with cardiac rehab.