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Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy Flashcards

6 cards from real NPTE-PTA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 6 Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy flashcards as text

  1. A patient's resting heart rate is 92 bpm and maximum predicted heart rate is 180 bpm. Using the Karvonen formula with a 60% intensity target, what is the target heart rate?

    Answer: 148 bpm

    Karvonen formula: Target HR = ((HRmax – HRrest) × intensity%) + HRrest = ((180 – 92) × 0.60) + 92 = 52.8 + 92 = 144.8, approximately 148 bpm at 60%.

  2. Which breath sound is associated with fluid in the alveoli and small airways and sounds like crackling or popping?

    Answer: Crackles (rales)

    Crackles (rales) are discontinuous, bubbling sounds caused by fluid in the alveoli and small airways, commonly heard in pulmonary edema and pneumonia.

  3. What does an SpO2 reading of 88% in a patient with COPD indicate?

    Answer: Significant hypoxemia that may require supplemental oxygen

    An SpO2 of 88% represents significant hypoxemia; supplemental oxygen is generally indicated when SpO2 falls below 88–90% in COPD patients.

  4. Which position best facilitates drainage of the right middle lobe of the lung?

    Answer: Left side-lying with the bed in a head-down position

    Right middle lobe drainage is achieved with the patient in left side-lying with a slight head-down (Trendelenburg) tilt, allowing gravity to drain secretions from that lobe.

  5. Which Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale value corresponds to 'somewhat hard' exertion?

    Answer: 13

    On the original 6–20 Borg RPE scale, a rating of 13 corresponds to 'somewhat hard,' which is a moderate exercise intensity target.

  6. A patient with congestive heart failure is placed in which position to reduce preload and ease breathing?

    Answer: High Fowler's (upright sitting)

    High Fowler's position (sitting upright at 60–90°) reduces venous return to the heart (preload), decreasing pulmonary congestion and improving breathing ease in CHF.