ACSM-EP Health Appraisal & Risk Assessment 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A 58-year-old male client reports a resting blood pressure of 142/92 mmHg on two separate occasions. According to ACSM guidelines, how should this be classified?
- Normal blood pressure
- Elevated blood pressure
- Stage 1 hypertension (Correct answer)
- Stage 2 hypertension
Correct answer: Stage 1 hypertension
A resting BP of 140-159/90-99 mmHg on two separate occasions is classified as Stage 1 hypertension per ACSM/ACC/AHA guidelines.
Question 2: When performing a preparticipation health screening, which finding would place a previously sedentary client in the 'HIGH' risk category without physician clearance?
- Resting heart rate of 78 bpm
- Known cardiovascular disease with stable symptoms (Correct answer)
- BMI of 27 kg/m²
- Fasting glucose of 95 mg/dL
Correct answer: Known cardiovascular disease with stable symptoms
Known cardiovascular, metabolic, or renal disease places a client in the HIGH risk category regardless of current symptoms.
Question 3: Which component of the ACSM preparticipation screening algorithm determines whether medical clearance is needed for a new vigorous-intensity exercise program?
- Number of cardiovascular risk factors
- Current physical activity level and presence of known disease or signs/symptoms (Correct answer)
- Age and sex of the client
- Resting heart rate and blood pressure values
Correct answer: Current physical activity level and presence of known disease or signs/symptoms
The ACSM 2015 updated algorithm uses current exercise participation status combined with known disease or signs/symptoms to determine medical clearance needs.
Question 4: A client reports experiencing exertional chest discomfort that resolves with rest. This symptom is considered a ACSM major sign or symptom suggestive of which condition?
- Exercise-induced asthma
- Cardiovascular or pulmonary disease (Correct answer)
- Musculoskeletal injury
- Metabolic syndrome
Correct answer: Cardiovascular or pulmonary disease
Chest discomfort with exertion that resolves at rest is a classic anginal symptom suggesting underlying cardiovascular or pulmonary disease.
Question 5: During a health history review, a 45-year-old woman reports her father had a heart attack at age 55. How does this factor into ACSM cardiovascular risk stratification?
- It is not considered a risk factor because her father is still living
- It counts as a positive risk factor for family history of CVD (Correct answer)
- It only counts if her mother also had heart disease
- Family history is not included in ACSM's CVD risk factors
Correct answer: It counts as a positive risk factor for family history of CVD
First-degree relative with CVD before age 55 (male) or 65 (female) is a positive ACSM cardiovascular disease risk factor.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q+) in exercise screening?
- To diagnose specific medical conditions before exercise
- To identify individuals who may need medical evaluation before increasing physical activity (Correct answer)
- To measure baseline cardiovascular fitness levels
- To assess muscular strength and flexibility limitations
Correct answer: To identify individuals who may need medical evaluation before increasing physical activity
The PAR-Q+ is a self-administered screening tool designed to identify individuals who should consult a physician before beginning or increasing physical activity.
Question 7: A client's fasting plasma glucose is 108 mg/dL on two separate tests. According to ACSM, this should be classified as:
- Normal fasting glucose
- Impaired fasting glucose (prediabetes) (Correct answer)
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Gestational diabetes
Correct answer: Impaired fasting glucose (prediabetes)
Fasting plasma glucose between 100–125 mg/dL is classified as impaired fasting glucose (prediabetes) and counts as a positive CVD risk factor.
ACSM-EP Health Appraisal & Risk Assessment 2
A 58-year-old male client reports a resting blood pressure of 142/92 mmHg on two separate occasions.
According to ACSM guidelines, how should this be classified?