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 chronic bronchitis has copious, thick secretions. Which airway clearance technique uses high-frequency chest wall oscillation to mobilize secretions?
Answer: The Vest airway clearance system
The Vest (high-frequency chest wall oscillation device) uses an inflatable vest to deliver rapid chest wall compressions that loosen and mobilize secretions toward central airways.
During cardiac rehabilitation, a patient's blood pressure drops 20 mmHg systolic during low-intensity exercise. What is the MOST appropriate response?
Answer: Stop exercise immediately and assess the patient
A systolic BP drop of ≥10 mmHg during exercise (especially with symptoms) is an indication to stop exercise immediately and evaluate for hemodynamic compromise.
Which of the following is the CORRECT interpretation of a PaO2 of 55 mmHg and PaCO2 of 55 mmHg on arterial blood gas?
Answer: Hypoxemia with hypercapnic respiratory failure
PaO2 of 55 mmHg indicates hypoxemia and PaCO2 of 55 mmHg indicates CO2 retention (hypercapnia), together consistent with type II (hypercapnic/ventilatory) respiratory failure.
A physical therapist notes that a patient's peripheral edema worsens in the afternoon and improves after overnight rest. This pattern is MOST consistent with which condition?
Answer: Chronic venous insufficiency
Gravity-dependent edema that worsens with prolonged standing and resolves with elevation overnight is the classic presentation of chronic venous insufficiency.
Which heart sound is associated with a stiff, noncompliant left ventricle and is heard early in diastole?
Answer: S4 gallop
S4 is a late diastolic sound produced when atrial contraction forces blood into a stiff, noncompliant ventricle; it is associated with hypertensive heart disease and hypertrophy.
A patient with cystic fibrosis performs the active cycle of breathing technique (ACBT). What is the CORRECT order of components?
Answer: Breathing control → thoracic expansion exercises → forced expiration technique
ACBT follows the sequence: breathing control (relaxed tidal breathing) → thoracic expansion exercises (deep breaths) → forced expiration technique (huffing), repeated cyclically.
Which medication classification is MOST likely to cause a dry, nonproductive cough as a side effect relevant to cardiopulmonary PT monitoring?
Answer: ACE inhibitors
ACE inhibitors block bradykinin breakdown, allowing it to accumulate in the airways and stimulate cough receptors, causing a persistent dry cough in 10-15% of patients.