Certified Respiratory Therapist Practice Exam

Which patient showed an effective improvement in functional capacity after a pulmonary rehabilitation program based on the 6-minute walk test results?

1. Patient A

2. Patient B

3. Patient C

4. Patient D

The correct answer is: Patient B

In evaluating the effectiveness of a pulmonary rehabilitation program, the 6-minute walk test is a common measure used to assess the improvement in a patient’s functional capacity. The test involves measuring how far a patient can walk in six minutes and serves as a reliable indicator of exercise endurance and overall physical capability in respiratory patients. For Patient B to be identified as showing effective improvement, their results would need to demonstrate a significant increase in the distance they could walk after completing the pulmonary rehabilitation program, compared to their baseline results before starting the program. This increase in distance signifies enhanced physical endurance and better oxygen utilization, reflecting the overall benefits of the rehabilitation approach that could include exercise training, education, and management of respiratory conditions. The interpretation of the 6-minute walk test results focuses on the correlation between the distance walked and the patient's ability to perform daily activities, which aligns well with the goals of pulmonary rehabilitation. By showing an improvement, Patient B exemplifies the success of the program in enhancing their functional capacity and quality of life.