Cardiovascular and Pulmonary PT Flashcards
7 cards from real NPTE-PT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Cardiovascular and Pulmonary PT flashcards as text
A patient with COPD demonstrates pursed-lip breathing during exertion. What is the PRIMARY physiological benefit of this technique?
Answer: Creates back-pressure to prevent early airway collapse
Pursed-lip breathing creates positive back-pressure during exhalation, preventing dynamic airway collapse and promoting more complete emptying of air trapping.
Which ECG finding is MOST consistent with left ventricular hypertrophy?
Answer: Tall R waves in V5-V6 with deep S waves in V1-V2
Left ventricular hypertrophy produces tall R waves in lateral leads (V5-V6) and deep S waves in right precordial leads (V1-V2) due to the enlarged left ventricular mass.
A PT is treating a post-MI patient who suddenly develops a respiratory rate of 32 breaths/min, crackles bilaterally, and frothy pink sputum. Which condition does this BEST represent?
Answer: Acute pulmonary edema
Frothy pink sputum, bilateral crackles, and tachypnea following MI indicate acute pulmonary edema due to left heart failure and fluid extravasation into alveoli.
During a 6-minute walk test, a patient's SpO2 drops from 96% to 87%. What is the MOST appropriate PT action?
Answer: Stop the test and administer supplemental oxygen if available
A drop in SpO2 below 88% is a standard criterion to stop the 6MWT and apply supplemental oxygen per established safety guidelines.
Which breathing exercise is MOST appropriate for a patient with a flail chest to improve ventilatory mechanics?
Answer: Diaphragmatic breathing with manual stabilization
Manual stabilization of the paradoxical segment during diaphragmatic breathing reduces the inefficiency caused by the floating chest wall segment in flail chest.
A patient status post-coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) has sternal precautions. Which activity is CONTRAINDICATED in early rehabilitation?
Answer: Pushing up from a chair using both arms simultaneously
Pushing up with both arms simultaneously creates bilateral sternal stress and risks sternal dehiscence, which is contraindicated with sternal precautions after CABG.
Which pulmonary function test pattern is characteristic of restrictive lung disease?
Answer: Decreased FVC with normal or increased FEV1/FVC ratio
Restrictive disease reduces lung volumes including FVC, but since both FEV1 and FVC are proportionally reduced, the FEV1/FVC ratio remains normal or elevated.