ACE Client Interview and Screening 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client reports taking a beta-blocker medication. How does this affect exercise testing?
- It artificially elevates resting heart rate
- It blunts the heart rate response to exercise (Correct answer)
- It increases blood pressure during exercise
- It has no effect on cardiovascular response
Correct answer: It blunts the heart rate response to exercise
Beta-blockers reduce heart rate at rest and during exercise, making heart-rate-based intensity targets unreliable.
Question 2: Which body composition assessment site is measured at the midpoint between the iliac crest and the lower rib margin?
- Suprailiac
- Abdominal
- Waist (Correct answer)
- Hip
Correct answer: Waist
The waist circumference is measured at the midpoint between the iliac crest and the lowest rib margin for standardized assessment.
Question 3: A new client mentions she is 10 weeks pregnant. What is the FIRST action the ACE-certified trainer should take?
- Refuse to train her until after delivery
- Obtain written clearance from her obstetrician (Correct answer)
- Begin a low-intensity walking program immediately
- Administer a modified PAR-Q
Correct answer: Obtain written clearance from her obstetrician
Pregnancy is a special population condition requiring physician clearance before initiating or continuing an exercise program.
Question 4: During the health-history interview a client reports occasional chest pain when climbing stairs. The trainer should:
- Note it and proceed with a submaximal fitness test
- Refer the client to a physician before any exercise testing (Correct answer)
- Limit the client to stretching only
- Administer a resting ECG
Correct answer: Refer the client to a physician before any exercise testing
Exertional chest pain is a major cardiovascular risk indicator that requires medical evaluation before exercise testing begins.
Question 5: The PAR-Q+ was designed to replace the original PAR-Q primarily to:
- Reduce legal liability for fitness facilities
- Better identify individuals who need medical clearance (Correct answer)
- Assess nutritional status before training
- Measure resting heart rate more accurately
Correct answer: Better identify individuals who need medical clearance
The PAR-Q+ uses a multi-step process to more accurately identify which clients need physician clearance versus those who can exercise safely.
Question 6: Which of the following is classified as a positive cardiovascular disease risk factor by ACSM guidelines adopted by ACE?
- HDL cholesterol ≥ 60 mg/dL
- Resting blood pressure 118/76 mmHg
- Family history of heart disease in a first-degree relative before age 55 (Correct answer)
- BMI of 24
Correct answer: Family history of heart disease in a first-degree relative before age 55
Premature CVD in a first-degree male relative before age 55 (or female before 65) is a positive CVD risk factor.
Question 7: A client's waist-to-hip ratio is 0.97. According to ACE guidelines, this male client's risk classification is:
- Low risk
- Moderate risk
- High risk (Correct answer)
- Very high risk
Correct answer: High risk
A waist-to-hip ratio above 0.95 in men places them in the high-risk category for metabolic and cardiovascular disease.
ACE Client Interview and Screening 2
A client reports taking a beta-blocker medication.
How does this affect exercise testing?