DPT Cardiovascular & Pulmonary PT 5

Question 1

A patient's arterial blood gas shows: pH 7.28, PaCO2 55 mmHg, HCO3 26 mEq/L, PaO2 58 mmHg. How is this interpreted?

Accepted Answer

Respiratory acidosis without metabolic compensation

Answer

Low pH with elevated PaCO2 and normal bicarbonate indicates acute respiratory acidosis without renal compensation, consistent with acute ventilatory failure.

Question 2

Which exercise training modality has the strongest evidence for improving peak VO2 in patients with stable chronic heart failure (EF <40%)?

Accepted Answer

Moderate-intensity continuous aerobic training

Answer

Moderate-intensity continuous aerobic training has the most robust evidence base for improving peak VO2 and quality of life in stable HFrEF patients.

Question 3

A physical therapist is using the talk test to monitor exercise intensity. At which intensity level does the talk test become positive (inability to speak in full sentences)?

Accepted Answer

At the ventilatory threshold (anaerobic threshold)

Answer

The talk test becomes positive (patient cannot comfortably speak in full sentences) at approximately the ventilatory threshold, marking the transition to higher-intensity exercise.

Question 4

Which complication is the primary reason physical therapists monitor for signs of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in post-surgical cardiac patients?

Accepted Answer

Pulmonary embolism from DVT can be immediately life-threatening

Answer

DVT poses the risk of embolization to the pulmonary vasculature, causing pulmonary embolism which can be rapidly fatal if large enough to cause right heart failure.

Question 5

A patient with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is referred to cardiac rehab. Which exercise parameter requires the MOST careful monitoring due to the pathophysiology of PAH?

Accepted Answer

SpO2 and symptoms of right heart failure with exertion

Answer

PAH patients have fixed pulmonary vascular resistance; exercise-induced increases in cardiac output can precipitate acute right heart failure and dangerous drops in SpO2.

(DPT) Board Certified Doctor of Physical Therapy Practice Test

(DPT) Board Certified Doctor of Physical Therapy Practice Test

DPT Cardiovascular & Pulmonary PT 5