NPTE-PTA Cardiopulmonary System

Question 1

The Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale ranges from:

Accepted Answer

6–20

Answer

The original Borg RPE scale ranges from 6 to 20, designed to correlate with heart rate (multiply by 10).

Question 2

Which position best facilitates drainage of the right lower lobe posterior basal segment?

Accepted Answer

Prone with foot of bed elevated

Answer

The prone position with the foot of the bed elevated drains the posterior basal segments via gravity-assisted postural drainage.

Question 3

A patient's SpO2 drops to 88% during exercise. The PTA should:

Accepted Answer

Stop exercise and notify the physical therapist

Answer

An SpO2 below 90% is a contraindication to continued exercise; the PTA must stop and report to the supervising PT.

Question 4

Which breathing pattern is characteristic of Cheyne-Stokes respiration?

Accepted Answer

Cyclic crescendo-decrescendo with apneic pauses

Answer

Cheyne-Stokes respiration is a cyclical pattern of increasing then decreasing tidal volume followed by apnea.

Question 5

Target heart rate for moderate-intensity exercise in a healthy 40-year-old is approximately:

Accepted Answer

108–126 bpm

Answer

Using the 220-minus-age formula: max HR = 180 bpm; 60–70% of 180 = 108–126 bpm for moderate intensity.

NPTE-PTA Test Practice Test