NAECB Pulmonary Rehabilitation Flashcards

After completing a pulmonary rehabilitation program, maintenance exercise is recommended because:

Answer: Benefits decline without ongoing physical activity

Gains in exercise capacity and quality of life from pulmonary rehabilitation diminish over time without continued physical activity.

The Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale used during rehab sessions targets exercise intensity at a score of:

Answer: 5–6 (somewhat hard to hard)

Exercise sessions typically target a Borg RPE of 5–6 to ensure training intensity is sufficient to produce physiological benefit without unsafe strain.

Which statement about upper extremity training in pulmonary rehabilitation is correct?

Answer: It reduces dyspnea during arm-elevation tasks by training muscles shared with respiration

Upper extremity exercises train muscles shared between arm movement and breathing, reducing dyspnea during daily tasks like reaching overhead.

A pulmonary rehabilitation educator should refer a patient to a mental health professional when the patient screens positive for:

Answer: Moderate-to-severe anxiety or depression using validated tools (e.g., PHQ-9, GAD-7)

Validated screening tools like PHQ-9 and GAD-7 identify patients requiring professional mental health support beyond what rehab staff can provide.

Which patient is MOST likely to benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation?

Answer: Severe COPD with significant dyspnea, exercise intolerance, and reduced quality of life

Patients with severe COPD and significant functional impairment show the greatest improvements in exercise capacity and quality of life from pulmonary rehabilitation.

Home-based pulmonary rehabilitation programs compared to center-based programs have been shown to:

Answer: Provide similar improvements in exercise capacity and quality of life

Evidence shows home-based pulmonary rehabilitation produces similar improvements in exercise capacity and quality of life compared to supervised center-based programs.