Cardiopulmonary Assessment and Management Flashcards
7 cards from real NPTE-PT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Cardiopulmonary Assessment and Management flashcards as text
A patient receiving mechanical ventilation has a tidal volume of 800 mL set on the ventilator but only 550 mL is delivered to the patient. The MOST likely cause is:
Answer: Circuit leak or airway disconnect
A significant discrepancy between set and delivered tidal volume in a ventilated patient most commonly results from a circuit leak or partial airway disconnection.
The ankle-brachial index (ABI) is 0.55 in a patient referred for cardiac rehabilitation. The therapist should:
Answer: Modify exercise intensity and monitor for claudication symptoms
An ABI of 0.55 indicates moderate peripheral arterial disease; exercise is beneficial but must be adjusted in intensity with close monitoring for intermittent claudication.
Which of the following is the CORRECT normal range for arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2) in a healthy adult breathing room air?
Answer: 75–100 mmHg
Normal PaO2 on room air ranges from 75–100 mmHg; values below 60 mmHg indicate hypoxemia requiring supplemental oxygen.
A patient with a pulmonary embolism has a PaO2 of 58 mmHg and PaCO2 of 30 mmHg. The primary mechanism of hypoxemia in this case is:
Answer: Ventilation-perfusion mismatch
Pulmonary embolism creates dead space (ventilated but unperfused alveoli), causing a V/Q mismatch that leads to hypoxemia despite a low PaCO2 from compensatory hyperventilation.
A physical therapist is performing manual chest physiotherapy on a patient with cystic fibrosis. The MOST important contraindication to percussion and vibration is:
Answer: Recent rib fracture or osteoporosis
Recent rib fractures or severe osteoporosis are absolute contraindications to percussion and vibration because of the risk of further fracture or injury.
During cardiac monitoring, a therapist notices ST-segment elevation of 3 mm in leads II, III, and aVF during exercise. The BEST immediate action is:
Answer: Stop exercise immediately and notify the physician
ST-segment elevation during exercise indicates myocardial ischemia or acute MI and is an absolute indication to stop exercise testing or rehabilitation immediately.
In a patient with right-sided heart failure, which of the following peripheral signs would the therapist MOST likely observe?
Answer: Jugular venous distension and peripheral edema
Right-sided heart failure causes backpressure in the systemic venous circulation, leading to jugular venous distension, hepatomegaly, and dependent peripheral edema.