NPTE-PT NPTE-PT Test Cardiopulmonary Assessment and Management Questions and Answers 3

Question 1

A patient presents with an SpO2 of 88% on room air and a PaO2 of 55 mmHg. According to the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve, this patient is on which portion of the curve?

Accepted Answer

The steep portion where small changes in PaO2 cause large changes in SpO2

Answer

The flat upper portion where large changes in PaO2 cause minimal SpO2 changes

Answer

The inflection point at 50% saturation

Answer

The leftward-shifted portion indicating increased oxygen affinity

Question 2

During a 6-minute walk test, a patient with heart failure demonstrates exertional dyspnea at 3 minutes and a 12-point increase on the Borg RPE scale. Which physiological mechanism BEST explains the early onset of symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Reduced cardiac output limiting oxygen delivery to working muscles

Answer

Increased anatomical dead space ventilation

Answer

Excessive sympathetic nervous system withdrawal

Answer

Decreased peripheral vascular resistance

Question 3

A physical therapist notes that a patient on mechanical ventilation has a respiratory rate of 28 breaths/min, tidal volume of 350 mL, and dead space volume of 150 mL. What is the patient's alveolar ventilation per minute?

Accepted Answer

5,600 mL/min

Answer

9,800 mL/min

Answer

4,200 mL/min

Answer

7,000 mL/min

Question 4

Which electrocardiogram finding is MOST characteristic of atrial fibrillation?

Accepted Answer

Irregularly irregular R-R intervals with absence of distinct P waves

Answer

Regular R-R intervals with sawtooth-shaped flutter waves

Answer

Prolonged PR interval greater than 0.20 seconds

Answer

Wide QRS complexes greater than 0.12 seconds

Question 5

A patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is positioned prone by the ICU team. What is the PRIMARY therapeutic rationale for prone positioning?

Accepted Answer

Improved ventilation-perfusion matching in dorsal lung regions

Answer

Decreased venous return to reduce cardiac preload

Answer

Increased functional residual capacity by compressing anterior segments

Answer

Enhanced mucociliary clearance from posterior airways

Question 6

A physical therapist is treating a patient 2 days after an acute myocardial infarction. Which of the following responses would require IMMEDIATE termination of the treatment session?

Accepted Answer

New onset of ST-segment elevation on telemetry

Answer

Heart rate increase of 18 bpm from resting

Answer

Systolic blood pressure increase of 15 mmHg with activity

Answer

Patient rating of 11 on the Borg RPE scale