Your patient has a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation.  Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between atrial fibrillation and cardiac output?

Your 55 year old male patient is to be evaluated this morning.  He had abdominal surgery two days ago.  Upon chart review, you note his lab values.  His hematocrit is 36% and his hemoglobin is 12 g/dl.  Clinically, how would these values impact the patient’s ability to participate in an exercise program?

Your patient’s immune system is compromised and the physician is worried that the patient will be exposed to C. difficile.  What type of precautions should be taken with patients in general during physical therapy treatment to prevent the transmission of C. difficile?

Your patient has a diagnosis of mitral valve prolapse.  Where is the mitral valve located?

You assess your 45 year old patient’s vital signs prior to beginning the exercise session.  The patient’s blood pressure is recorded as 128/86 mm Hg and the pulse is 72 beats per minute.  The patient begins the exercise session which consists of walking on the treadmill.  After reassessing the patient’s vital signs you decide to terminate the exercise session.  At reassessment, the patient’s vital signs were documented as blood pressure at 154/116 mm Hg and the pulse as 102 beats per minute.  Which of the following findings was most likely responsible for terminating the exercise?

Your patient is from a Polish culture.  He has a love of butter and fatty meats.  He has been recently diagnosed with hypertension and elevated cholesterol which is exacerbated by his poor dietary choices.  He did already receive nutritional information from his physician.  He has been referred to physical therapy for a fitness program.  How can you support this patient’s nutritional program while respecting his cultural background?

Your patient. age 69, has a history of atrial fibrillation and cardiac arrhythmia for which he takes medication.  Prior to exercising on the treadmill, you note his resting heart rate was 66 and only one skipped beat was detected in 60 seconds.  You again check his pulse after approximately 8 minutes of treadmill activity.  His pulse is now 82 and you have detected a significant increase in skipped beats.  How would you proceed with this patient?

Mr. H is 74 years old.  He has a diagnosis of Polymyalgia Rheumatica and is closely followed by his Rheumatologist.  He has begun to complain of a throbbing headache and blurry vision on the right.  He is also tender to palpation in the temple area.  How would you respond to this situation?

A patient is showing you her blood lipid profile results.  She is asking about cardiac risk.  Which of the following is protective against heart disease?

A physical therapist is screening teenage athletes prior to a football camp.  One of the screening questions relates to coarctation of the aorta.  Which of the following procedures would screen for this condition?