Question 1

You are explaining the exercise electrocardiography procedure to a 36-year-old female patient. She tells you she has a very low pain tolerance and is afraid the procedure will hurt. Which of the following symptoms would you tell her to expect during exercise electrocardiography?

Accepted Answer

During exercise electrocardiography, mild fatigue, increased heart rate, and increased respiratory rate are common symptoms. Chest pain, weakness, dizziness, blurred vision, and headache are not normal symptoms and should be reported immediately. However, it is important to note that every person may experience different symptoms during the procedure.

Question 2

How do you determine how many pretest recordings of blood pressure and 12-lead ECGs you obtain?

Accepted Answer

The facility policy should provide guidance on how many pretest recordings of blood pressure and 12-lead ECGs are needed. This information can help ensure accurate results and minimize the need for repeated testing. Checking the physician's order and asking the patient may also be helpful, but the facility policy is the most reliable source of information. Asking a coworker may not be appropriate, as their knowledge may be limited or they may not be authorized to make decisions about patient care.

Question 3

After an exercise stress test, the patient will have a cooling-off period. How long does this last and what should you do during this time?

Accepted Answer

The cooling-off period after an exercise stress test typically lasts 6 to 15 minutes. During this time, it is important to monitor the patient for any changes, such as chest pain or difficulty breathing. Therefore, choice D is the best answer.

Question 4

For which of the following patients would the Naughton protocol for exercise electrocardiography most likely be used?

Accepted Answer

The Naughton protocol is designed for patients who have limited exercise capacity, such as those with congestive heart failure. It features a more gradual increase in workload compared to other exercise testing protocols, making it suitable for patients who might not tolerate more strenuous exercise.

Question 5

What is the rate pressure product?

Accepted Answer

The rate pressure product is calculated by multiplying the systolic blood pressure by the heart rate. This value reflects the workload of the heart and is often used as an indicator of cardiovascular health.

Question 6

What procedure combines an echocardiogram with an exercise stress test?

Accepted Answer

The procedure that combines an echocardiogram with an exercise stress test is called a stress echocardiogram.

Question 7

What is the purpose of the hyperventilation ECG during pretesting?

Accepted Answer

The purpose of the hyperventilation ECG is to identify ECG changes caused by breathing. The test involves deep, rapid breathing for several minutes while the patient is hooked up to an ECG machine. The changes in the ECG during hyperventilation can indicate the presence of certain heart conditions, such as coronary artery disease.

Question 8

Which statement is correct regarding the patient who achieves the target heart rate (THR)during the test?

Accepted Answer

Achieving the target heart rate (THR) during a stress test indicates the patient has exercised adequately to stress the heart and produce valid results. The closer the patient gets to the target heart rate, the more reliable the results are likely to be. However, achieving the THR alone does not indicate the presence or absence of cardiac disease.

Question 9

Of the following, which concept is least important for the patient to understand before signing the consent form for an exercise electrocardiography procedure?

Accepted Answer

While it is important for the patient to understand the procedure, risks, and reason for the test, knowing when the results will be available is not necessary for giving informed consent for the actual procedure itself.

Question 10

What calculation is performed to find a patient's target heart rate for exercise electrocardiography?

Accepted Answer

The calculation to determine a patient's target heart rate for exercise ECG is 220 minus the patient's age multiplied by 60% to 85%. This range represents the target heart rate zone for moderate to vigorous exercise.

Question 11

Which of the following statements about exercise electrocardiography results is true?

Accepted Answer

False-positive results in exercise electrocardiography (stress tests) are indeed more common in women than in men. This can be due to a variety of factors, including differences in heart size, hormonal effects, and baseline electrocardiogram differences.

Question 12

Which of the following conditions would not prevent a patient from participating in exercise electrocardiography?

Accepted Answer

Unstable angina, pericarditis, and third-degree AV block are all conditions that would prevent a patient from participating in exercise electrocardiography due to the risk of complications. However, diabetes is not a contraindication for exercise electrocardiography and would not prevent a patient from participating.

Question 13

Which is the most commonly used stress test protocol?

Accepted Answer

The Bruce protocol is the most commonly used stress test protocol worldwide. It is a standardized protocol and has been validated in numerous studies. The Modified Bruce protocol is also commonly used, but the original Bruce protocol is still the most widely used. The Naughton protocol is less frequently used and the Persantine protocol is not typically used for exercise stress testing, but rather for pharmacologic stress testing.

Question 14

Which statement is correct regarding your responsibilities during an exercise electrocardiography test?

Accepted Answer

As an exercise physiologist, your responsibilities during an exercise electrocardiography test include instructing the patient about the procedure, attaching the electrodes, and monitoring the patient during the procedure. This ensures that accurate data is collected while keeping the patient safe. Other healthcare professionals, such as a nurse or physician, may be responsible for preparing the patient, printing tracings, or monitoring the patient after the test.

Question 15

You are preparing a 72-year-old patient for exercise electrocardiography. The patient says he is frightened of all modern technology. Which of the following would not help alleviate this patient's fears during exercise electrocardiography?

Accepted Answer

Explaining the location of the crash cart may actually increase the patient's fears by suggesting that there is a possibility of a serious event occurring during the procedure. It is important to maintain a sense of confidence, follow safety precautions, and answer the patient's questions to help alleviate their fears.

Question 16

Which of the following equipment is not needed to prepare a patient for a treadmill exercise test?

Accepted Answer

Eye protection and face shield are not necessary for preparing a patient for a treadmill exercise test. Blood pressure equipment is needed to check the patient's vital signs before, during, and after the test. Skin preparation solution and shaving equipment may be necessary to prepare the skin for electrode placement. Adhesive tape belt is needed to secure the ECG electrodes during the test.

Question 17

The purpose of calculating the rate pressure product is to estimate the patient's ________.

Accepted Answer

The rate pressure product (RPP) is calculated by multiplying the heart rate by the systolic blood pressure. This calculation is used to estimate the oxygen utilization of the heart and is helpful in assessing the workload placed on the heart during exercise or stress. Therefore, option B is the correct answer as RPP helps in estimating the patient's oxygen utilization.

Question 18

Which of the following is not a phase that takes place in a stress echocardiogram test?

Accepted Answer

The nuclear phase is not a part of the stress echocardiogram test. The test usually involves a resting echocardiogram phase, an exercise or pharmacological stress phase, an immediate postexercise scan, and a recovery phase.

Question 19

Before initiating an exercise stress test, you may be asked to take and record a series of blood pressure readings and 12-lead ECG results. What are the most common patient positions, in order, in which these are obtained?

Accepted Answer

The most common patient positions for obtaining blood pressure readings and 12-lead ECG results before an exercise stress test are supine, sitting, after hyperventilation, and standing.

Question 20

A complete history of the patient is needed before an exercise electrocardiography. Which of the following information is not needed for the history?

Accepted Answer

While it is important to know about the patient's sleep habits for overall health assessment, the amount of sleep the patient had the night before is not necessary for an exercise electrocardiography. The other options listed are all important factors to consider in the patient's history.

Quiz 12: Cardiac Stress Testing