NPTE-PT Test Test Cardiovascular and Pulmonary PT 1

Question 1

A physical therapist auscultates a patient's lungs and hears a high-pitched, musical sound during expiration that is audible without a stethoscope.
Which term best describes this adventitious breath sound?

Accepted Answer

Wheezing

Answer

Crackles

Answer

Stridor

Answer

Rhonchi

Question 2

A patient is referred to cardiac rehabilitation following a myocardial infarction. During initial evaluation, the therapist notes a resting heart rate of 72 bpm and a maximal heart rate of 150 bpm on the exercise stress test. Using the Karvonen formula with a target intensity of 60%, what is the target heart rate?

Accepted Answer

122 bpm

Answer

115 bpm

Answer

126 bpm

Answer

133 bpm

Question 3

A patient with left-sided heart failure presents with orthopnea and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea. Which pathophysiological mechanism most directly causes these positional symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Increased venous return to the right heart when supine elevating pulmonary hydrostatic pressure

Answer

Decreased systemic vascular resistance when supine

Answer

Reduced diaphragmatic excursion due to abdominal ascites

Answer

Increased sympathetic activation during recumbency

Question 4

During a 6-minute walk test, a patient with pulmonary arterial hypertension stops at 4 minutes due to severe dyspnea and an oxygen saturation drop from 96% to 84%. Which action should the physical therapist take first?

Accepted Answer

Administer supplemental oxygen and have the patient sit or lie down

Answer

Encourage the patient to continue at a slower pace

Answer

Measure blood pressure and document the finding

Answer

Notify the referring physician before any further action

Question 5

A physical therapist is performing postural drainage for a patient with bronchiectasis affecting the right middle lobe. Which position should the therapist use?

Accepted Answer

Left side-lying with the foot of the bed elevated 14–16 inches

Answer

Prone with the head of the bed elevated 30 degrees

Answer

Supine with the hips elevated on a pillow

Answer

Right side-lying with the bed flat

Question 6

A patient recovering from coronary artery bypass graft surgery reports sternal pain with deep breathing and a productive cough. The physical therapist observes paradoxical sternal movement on palpation. Which complication should be most suspected?

Accepted Answer

Sternal wound dehiscence

Answer

Pericarditis

Answer

Pleural effusion

Answer

Pneumothorax