NPTE-PT Cardiovascular and Pulmonary PT 3

Question 1

A physical therapist auscultates a patient's chest and hears a high-pitched, musical wheeze during expiration. Which condition is this finding MOST consistent with?

Accepted Answer

Asthma or bronchospasm

Answer

High-pitched expiratory wheezing (sibilant rhonchi) results from narrowed lower airways during expiration, which is characteristic of bronchospasm in conditions like asthma.

Question 2

At what heart rate threshold should a PT terminate exercise in a patient on a beta-blocker, given the Karvonen formula cannot be used reliably?

Accepted Answer

Rate of perceived exertion of 13-15 on the Borg scale

Answer

Beta-blockers blunt the heart rate response, making HR-based targets unreliable; RPE (Borg scale 13-15) is the preferred exercise intensity guide in these patients.

Question 3

Which chest drainage position is MOST appropriate for draining the right middle lobe in postural drainage?

Accepted Answer

Left side-lying with the head of bed down 15 degrees

Answer

The right middle lobe drains optimally in the left side-lying position with slight head-down tilt (Trendelenburg), directing secretions toward the right mainstem bronchus.

Question 4

A patient with heart failure has a New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III classification. What does this indicate about their functional capacity?

Accepted Answer

Symptoms with ordinary activity; marked limitation

Answer

NYHA Class III denotes marked limitation of physical activity, with symptoms occurring during ordinary activity such as walking short distances, though comfortable at rest.

Question 5

A patient presents with tracheal deviation toward the right, absent breath sounds on the right, and hemodynamic instability. Which emergency condition is MOST likely?

Accepted Answer

Tension pneumothorax on the left side

Answer

Tension pneumothorax on the left shifts the trachea and mediastinum away from the affected side (toward the right) and is a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate intervention.

NPTE-PT Test Practice Test

NPTE-PT Test Practice Test

NPTE-PT Cardiovascular and Pulmonary PT 3