NPTE-PTA Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 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?
- 140 bpm
- 148 bpm (Correct answer)
- 152 bpm
- 160 bpm
Correct 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%.
Question 2: Which breath sound is associated with fluid in the alveoli and small airways and sounds like crackling or popping?
- Rhonchi
- Wheezing
- Crackles (rales) (Correct answer)
- Pleural friction rub
Correct 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.
Question 3: What does an SpO2 reading of 88% in a patient with COPD indicate?
- Normal oxygen saturation for COPD
- Mild hypoxemia requiring monitoring
- Significant hypoxemia that may require supplemental oxygen (Correct answer)
- The patient is hyperoxic
Correct 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.
Question 4: Which position best facilitates drainage of the right middle lobe of the lung?
- Prone with the right side elevated
- Left side-lying with the bed in a head-down position (Correct answer)
- Right side-lying in a flat position
- Supine with a pillow under the knees
Correct 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.
Question 5: Which Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale value corresponds to 'somewhat hard' exertion?
- 9
- 11
- 13 (Correct answer)
- 17
Correct 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.
Question 6: A patient with congestive heart failure is placed in which position to reduce preload and ease breathing?
- Supine flat
- Prone
- Trendelenburg
- High Fowler's (upright sitting) (Correct answer)
Correct 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.
NPTE-PTA Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy 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?