NPTE-PTA Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which breathing exercise technique is most appropriate for a patient with COPD to reduce air trapping and dyspnea?
- Incentive spirometry
- Pursed-lip breathing (Correct answer)
- Diaphragmatic breathing only
- Forced expiratory technique
Correct answer: Pursed-lip breathing
Pursed-lip breathing creates back-pressure during exhalation that helps keep airways open longer, reducing air trapping and improving gas exchange in COPD.
Question 2: A PTA notices a patient's blood pressure drops 20 mmHg systolic upon standing. This is called:
- Hypertensive crisis
- Orthostatic (postural) hypotension (Correct answer)
- Essential hypertension
- White coat syndrome
Correct answer: Orthostatic (postural) hypotension
Orthostatic hypotension is defined as a drop of ≥20 mmHg systolic or ≥10 mmHg diastolic upon moving from supine to standing.
Question 3: Which of the following is an absolute contraindication to exercise in a cardiac rehabilitation patient?
- Resting heart rate of 85 bpm
- Resting systolic BP of 160 mmHg
- Unstable angina (Correct answer)
- Recent minor joint pain
Correct answer: Unstable angina
Unstable angina is an absolute contraindication to exercise because it indicates myocardial ischemia at rest or minimal exertion, posing a risk of MI.
Question 4: What does the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) primarily assess?
- Maximal aerobic capacity (VO2 max)
- Submaximal functional exercise capacity (Correct answer)
- Single-leg balance and coordination
- Anaerobic threshold only
Correct answer: Submaximal functional exercise capacity
The 6MWT measures the distance a patient can walk in 6 minutes and reflects submaximal functional exercise capacity in cardiopulmonary and musculoskeletal conditions.
Question 5: Which percussion finding over the lung fields indicates pneumothorax?
- Dullness
- Resonance
- Hyperresonance (tympany) (Correct answer)
- Flatness
Correct answer: Hyperresonance (tympany)
A pneumothorax produces hyperresonance (tympany) on percussion because air trapped in the pleural space creates an abnormally hollow sound.
Question 6: A patient with asthma presents with an FEV1/FVC ratio of 0.65 pre-bronchodilator. This indicates:
- A restrictive lung defect
- A normal spirometry result
- An obstructive lung defect (Correct answer)
- A mixed restrictive-obstructive defect
Correct answer: An obstructive lung defect
An FEV1/FVC ratio below 0.70 indicates an obstructive lung defect, as airflow is limited during forced expiration relative to total lung capacity.
NPTE-PTA Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy 2
Which breathing exercise technique is most appropriate for a patient with COPD to reduce air trapping and dyspnea?