If you searched for "CPTE cardiorespiratory practice questions," "PCE cardio-resp sample questions," or "CAPR ECG/ABG questions," here are real ones to attempt. (The PCE and CPTE are the same national exam — CAPR's Physiotherapy Competency Examination — so these apply whichever term you searched.)
Cardiorespiratory on the CPTE leans on numbers and thresholds — ABG values, ECG intervals, target heart rate, oxygen targets — used inside a clinical decision. Below are six cardio-resp questions pulled directly from the CAPR-aligned PhysioExamPrep bank, each with the correct answer and a full rationale.
How to use these: cover the answer, commit to a choice, and explain why the other options are wrong before you reveal it. Read the rationale even when you're right.
Question 1 — Acid-base balance (ABGs)
During a high-intensity exercise test, a patient begins to fatigue. Their ABG shows a drop in pH and a decrease in HCO3-, while PaCO2 is also slightly low. This pattern (low pH, low HCO3-, low PaCO2) indicates which of the following?
- A. Metabolic Acidosis (Lactic Acidosis) with partial respiratory compensation.
- B. Respiratory Acidosis.
- C. The patient is breathing too much.
- D. Pure Metabolic Alkalosis.
Answer: A — Metabolic Acidosis (Lactic Acidosis) with partial respiratory compensation.
Low pH / low bicarb = metabolic acidosis. The body tries to compensate by hyperventilating (blowing off CO2) to bring the pH back up. This is typical when lactic acid builds up during intense exercise.
Question 2 — ECG basics
During an ECG screen, the therapist identifies a rhythm with a normal P-wave for every QRS, but the PR interval is consistently 0.26 seconds. The heart rate is 65 bpm and the patient is asymptomatic. Identify the rhythm and the appropriate clinical management.
- A. Sinus Bradycardia; increase exercise intensity to raise the rate.
- B. Second-degree Type I (Wenckebach); terminate exercise immediately.
- C. First-degree AV block; normal variant in some patients, proceed with exercise while monitoring for further block progression.
- D. Third-degree (Complete) Heart Block; call 911.
Answer: C — First-degree AV block; proceed with exercise while monitoring.
A PR interval > 0.20s with a 1:1 P-to-QRS ratio is a first-degree AV block. In an asymptomatic patient, this is not a contraindication to exercise, but it requires monitoring as it can sometimes progress to more severe blocks under stress.
Question 3 — Pulmonary assessment
A patient with Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) presents with a cough that produces "pink, frothy" sputum. What does this specific sputum characteristic indicate?
- A. Asthma.
- B. Chronic Bronchitis.
- C. Pulmonary Edema.
- D. Infection (Pneumonia).
Answer: C — Pulmonary Edema.
Pink, frothy sputum is a hallmark sign of acute pulmonary edema. It occurs when high pressure in the pulmonary capillaries forces fluid and a small amount of blood into the alveoli.
Question 4 — Lung function
A patient with asthma is using a Peak Flow Meter. The Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) correlates best with which part of the flow-volume loop and which airway size?
- A. The mid-expiratory phase (FEF 25-75%); small airways.
- B. The inspiratory phase; the larynx.
- C. The end of the loop; small airways.
- D. The first 100 ms of expiration; large and medium-sized airways.
Answer: D — The first 100 ms of expiration; large and medium-sized airways.
Peak Flow is effort-dependent and reflects the caliber of the large, upper airways early in the expiratory maneuver. FEF 25-75% is more representative of the smaller, more distal airways.
Question 5 — Target heart rate (Karvonen)
A therapist is calculating the Target Heart Rate (THR) for a 60-year-old patient with a resting HR of 70 bpm and a desired intensity of 60%. Using THR = ((HRmax − HRrest) × intensity) + HRrest, what is the calculated THR?
- A. 100 bpm
- B. 160 bpm
- C. 124 bpm
- D. 130 bpm
Answer: C — 124 bpm.
HRmax = 220 − 60 = 160. HRrest = 70. HR reserve = 160 − 70 = 90. 90 × 0.60 = 54. 54 + 70 = 124 bpm.
Question 6 — COPD
A patient with COPD demonstrates "Pursed-Lip Breathing" during exertion. What is the primary physiological benefit of this breathing technique?
- A. It creates back-pressure in the airways, preventing them from collapsing during expiration and improving CO2 removal.
- B. It strengthens the diaphragm.
- C. It increases the respiratory rate.
- D. It decreases the use of accessory muscles.
Answer: A — It creates back-pressure in the airways, preventing them from collapsing during expiration and improving CO2 removal.
Pursed-lip breathing provides a small amount of Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP). This keeps the floppy airways in COPD open longer, allowing more complete emptying of the lungs and reducing air trapping.
Keep practising
The full PhysioExamPrep bank is CAPR-aligned for the 2026 CPTE and covers cardiorespiratory in depth — ABGs, ECG, exercise testing, oxygen therapy, airway clearance — with the same answer-and-rationale format. Start practising for free (a daily allowance, no card required) and track accuracy by topic. Premium — a one-time CA$49, valid for two years — unlocks unlimited practice, Written-section mock exams, and Oral-section case practice.