What are some relative contraindications for cardiopulmonary ...

[dalyningkenk]

What are some relative contraindications for cardiopulmonary exercise testing?
 
  1. Severe pulmonary hypertension or cor pulmonale
  2. Known electrolyte disturbances (e.g., hypokalemia)
  3. SaO2 or SpO2 less than 85 breathing room air
  4. Untreated or unstable asthma
  a. 2 and 4 only
  b. 1, 2, and 3 only
  c. 1, 2, 3, and 4
  d. 1, 2, and 4 only

Question 2

While you are assisting in a treadmill cardiopulmonary stress test procedure, the patient com-plains to you of severe shortness of breath and some chest pain. Which of the following actions would you recommend at this time?
 
  a. Increase the O2 flow rate.
  b. Decrease the treadmill speed.
  c. Decrease the treadmill incline.
  d. Terminate the procedure at once.

[Jsherida]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
Relative contraindications to exercise testing include (1) patients who cannot or will not perform the test, (2) severe pulmonary hypertension/cor pulmonale, (3) known electrolyte disturbances (hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia), (4) resting diastolic blood pressure greater than 110 mm Hg or resting systolic blood pressure greater than 200 mm Hg, (5) neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, or rheumatoid disorders exacerbated by exercise, (6) uncontrolled metabolic disease (e.g., diabetes), (7) SaO2 or SpO2 less than 85 with the subject breathing room air, ( untreated or unstable asthma, or (9) angina with exercise.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
To guide practitioners in implementing exercise evaluation, the AARC has published Clinical Practice Guidelines: Exercise Testing for Evaluation of Hypoxemia and/or Desaturation and Pulmonary Rehabilitation.