Exercise Test

Question 1

What is the purpose of exercise stress testing?

Answer 1

Exercise stress testing assesses a patient’s ability to tolerate increasing exercise intensity while monitoring for signs of myocardial ischemia or abnormal electrical conduction.

Question 2

What physiological parameters are monitored during an exercise test?

Answer 2

ECG, blood pressure, heart rate, and symptoms such as dyspnea and angina are monitored.

Question 3

Why is testing cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) important?

Answer 3

CRF testing evaluates disease severity, functional capacity, prognosis, and ability to return to physical activity.

Question 4

How is exercise stress testing used to determine prognosis and functional capacity?

Answer 4

It helps assess the severity of disease, predicts cardiovascular events, and determines exercise tolerance.

Question 5

What are some common uses of exercise testing for patients with heart disease?

Answer 5

Exercise testing is used to diagnose ischemic heart disease, assess response to medical interventions, and monitor exercise tolerance.

Question 6

What are the necessary steps for preparing a patient for exercise testing?

Answer 6

Steps include obtaining informed consent, taking resting vitals, conducting symptom assessments, and explaining the test and expectations.

Question 7

What is the difference between a graded exercise test (GXT) and an exercise tolerance test (ETT)?

Answer 7

GXT measures increasing workload during exercise, while ETT tests endurance and tolerance at a set workload.

Question 8

What are the absolute contraindications to exercise testing?

Answer 8

Examples include acute MI within 2 days, ongoing unstable angina, and symptomatic severe aortic stenosis.

Question 9

What are the relative contraindications to exercise testing?

Answer 9

Examples include obstructive left coronary artery stenosis, recent stroke, and resting hypertension.

Question 10

How is patient safety ensured during exercise testing?

Answer 10

Safety measures include having emergency equipment ready, monitoring vitals, and clearly defined test endpoints.

Question 11

What is the Borg RPE scale, and how is it used during exercise testing?

Answer 11

The Borg RPE scale measures perceived exertion during exercise, helping monitor exercise intensity.

Question 12

How is the Angina scale used in exercise testing?

Answer 12

The Angina scale rates chest pain from 1 to 4, with 3 or 4 typically being a reason to stop the test.

Question 13

How are the Dyspnea and Claudication scales applied during testing?

Answer 13

Dyspnea and Claudication scales assess breathing difficulty and leg pain during exercise, guiding intensity adjustments.

Question 14

What are the indicators for stopping an exercise test?

Answer 14

Signs like severe angina, significant drop in systolic BP, cyanosis, or dizziness indicate the test should be stopped.

Question 15

What are the absolute indicators for stopping a test?

Answer 15

Absolute indicators include sustained ventricular tachycardia, ataxia, and more than 1 mm ST elevation.

Question 16

What is the difference between a maximal and submaximal exercise test?

Answer 16

Maximal tests require the patient to exercise to fatigue, while submaximal tests estimate VO2 max based on heart rate response.

Question 17

How is VO2 max estimated in a submaximal test?

Answer 17

VO2 max is estimated using heart rate response to graded exercise, assuming a linear relationship between HR and work rate.

Question 18

What are the characteristics of the Bruce Protocol?

Answer 18

The Bruce Protocol is a treadmill-based test with 3-minute stages, increasing speed and incline to assess CRF.

Question 19

What is the Queens College Step Test, and how is it performed?

Answer 19

The Queens College Step Test involves stepping on a 16.25-inch step for 3 minutes to estimate VO2 max.

Question 20

What is the purpose of the 1-Mile Walk Test, and how is it conducted?

Answer 20

The 1-Mile Walk Test assesses endurance by measuring the time and heart rate required to walk 1 mile as fast as possible.

Question 21

What is the difference between a fixed distance test and a fixed time test?

Answer 21

Fixed distance tests assess how quickly a patient can complete a set distance, while fixed time tests measure how far they can go in a set time.

Question 22

What is the YMCA Cycle Ergometer Test, and how is it performed?

Answer 22

The YMCA test involves cycling at a constant pace while increasing resistance, monitoring heart rate to estimate VO2 max.

Question 23

What are field tests, and how do they differ from laboratory-based tests?

Answer 23

Field tests are completed in non-laboratory settings and are often less expensive and easier to perform than lab-based tests.

Question 24

How is MET level tolerance determined through exercise testing?

Answer 24

MET level tolerance is determined by measuring the VO2 max during exercise and converting it to METs (1 MET = 3.5 mL O2/kg/min).

Question 25

How are heart rate and VO2 max data interpreted in exercise testing?

Answer 25

Heart rate and VO2 max are used to assess the patient’s cardiovascular fitness and prescribe appropriate exercise intensity.

Question 26

What is the Jackson Non-Exercise Test, and how is it used to estimate VO2 max?

Answer 26

The Jackson Non-Exercise Test uses demographic information and physical activity history to estimate VO2 max without exercise.

Question 27

How is heart rate recovery measured and interpreted?

Answer 27

Heart rate recovery is measured by the decrease in heart rate after exercise, with slower recovery indicating potential cardiovascular risk.

Question 28

What are the key safety considerations during exercise testing?

Answer 28

Safety considerations include monitoring for adverse symptoms, having medical equipment ready, and using proper test protocols.

Question 29

How do you monitor heart rate, blood pressure, and other vitals during an exercise test?

Answer 29

Heart rate and blood pressure are monitored continuously, along with symptoms like fatigue, chest pain, and dyspnea.

Question 30

What is the importance of reaching a steady-state heart rate during testing?

Answer 30

Reaching steady-state heart rate ensures accurate assessment of cardiovascular fitness and exercise tolerance.

Question 31

How are patients with contraindications to maximal exercise tests managed?

Answer 31

For patients with contraindications, submaximal tests or other less intense assessments are used.

Question 32

How are exercise testing results used to guide exercise prescription?

Answer 32

Results from exercise testing help determine safe and effective exercise intensities for rehabilitation and fitness programs.