Stress Testing Protocols Flashcards
7 cards from real CVT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Stress Testing Protocols flashcards as text
Which of the following represents a relative contraindication to exercise stress testing?
Answer: Resting systolic blood pressure >200 mmHg or diastolic >110 mmHg
Severe uncontrolled hypertension (SBP >200 or DBP >110 mmHg) is a relative contraindication; clinical judgment determines whether to proceed or defer.
When performing a stress test on a patient taking digoxin, the technologist should anticipate:
Answer: Digoxin-induced ST depression that may confound ischemia interpretation
Digoxin causes characteristic ST depression that can mimic ischemic changes, making ECG stress test interpretation unreliable in patients on this medication.
What is the main advantage of a stress echocardiogram over a standard exercise ECG stress test?
Answer: It provides functional information about regional wall motion in addition to ECG changes
Stress echocardiography adds wall motion analysis and ejection fraction assessment, improving sensitivity and specificity beyond the standard exercise ECG alone.
During a maximal exercise test, a patient develops frequent multifocal PVCs in a bigeminy pattern. The appropriate response is:
Answer: Stop the test immediately per absolute termination criteria
Increasing or complex ventricular arrhythmias (including frequent multifocal PVCs and runs) during exercise are absolute indications to terminate the stress test.
The chronotropic index (CI) is used to assess chronotropic incompetence. A CI below what threshold is generally considered abnormal?
Answer: 0.62
A chronotropic index below 0.62 indicates chronotropic incompetence, defined as failure of the heart rate to rise appropriately in proportion to the metabolic demand during exercise.
In a nuclear stress test using Tc-99m sestamibi, what finding on the resting scan compared to the stress scan indicates a fixed defect?
Answer: Defect present on both stress and rest images in the same location
A fixed defect (present on both stress and rest images) represents infarcted, non-viable myocardium rather than ischemia, which would show reversibility on rest imaging.
Which of the following is the correct pre-test instruction for patients scheduled for an exercise stress test?
Answer: Fast for 3 hours before the test and wear comfortable walking shoes
Patients should fast for at least 3 hours before a stress test to reduce risk of aspiration and nausea, and wear appropriate footwear for the treadmill.