Gold Standard Grind
This national organization provides certification for both cardiac and pulmonary rehab programs.
What is AACVPR (American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation)?
This side of the heart is most commonly affected in heart failure, leading to fluid backup into the lungs.
What is the left side?
This "window to the heart" lets you spy on rhythms, rate, and even ST changes while your patient exercise.
What is a telemetry monitor?
This dome-shaped muscle is the MVP of breathing, contracting with every inhale.
What is the diaphragm?
This heart chamber is the "workhorse," pumping oxygen-rich blood out to the body.
What is the left ventricle?
Before a patient begins their first exercise session, this must be completed to establish baseline metrics and risk.
What is the Initial Assessment?
Patients with heart failure are often prescribed a "water pill" to help reduce fluid overload.
What is a diuretic?
This device gives and instant check on how well oxygen is hitching a ride in the blood.
What is a pulse oximeter?
Tiny balloon-like structures in the lungs where oxygen and carbon dioxide swap places.
What are the alveoli?
Known as the "spark plug" of the heart, this node is the natural pacemaker.
What is the SA node (sinoatrial node)?
This electronic system is used by programs to collect, track, and submit data for accreditation.
What is the outcomes registry?
This device is sometimes called a "bridge to transplant" or "destination therapy" for patients with advanced heart failure.
What is an LVAD?
When you ask a patient "On a scale of 6-20, how hard are you working?" You're using this tool.
What is the RPE scale?
This flap of tissue acts like a traffic cop-directing air into the lungs and food into the stomach.
What is the epiglottis?
This circulation pathway delivers oxygenated blood to the heart muscle itself.
What are the coronary arteries?
One key requirement for accreditation is having this written, individualized document for each patient.
What is an ITP?
Patients with an LVAD do not have this vital sign in the traditional sense.
What is a palpable pulse?
If your patient says, "I feel like I can't catch my breath," you would use this tool to help turn that feeling into a measurable number.
What is the dyspnea scale?
This test measures lung volumes and flows, and is the gold standard for diagnosing obstructive or restrictive lung disease.
What is spirometry?
The formula for cardiac output is stroke volume multiplied by this.
What is heart rate?
This Medicare regulation defines what services are covered under cardiac and pulmonary rehab and is required knowledge for accreditation compliance.
What is CMS Coverage determination (NCD)?
This type of blood pressure measurement must be used for LVAD patients, since traditional cuff readings may not be accurate.
What is a MAP (mean arterial pressure)?
Rolling into the room like a superhero sidekick, this device allows you to streamline workflow during exercise classes.
What is a WOW cart?
This device measures the maximum speed of expiration and is often used by patients with asthma to track daily control.
What is a peak flow meter?
This potentially life-threatening arrhythmia is often described as a "bag of worms" on an EKG.
What is ventricular fibrillation (V-fib)?