CCRP AACVPR Exam – American Association of
Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation –
2026/2027 Questions with Verified Answer
1. When is it recommended to repeat a lipid profile after initiating statin therapy?
A) 1-2 weeks
B) 4-12 weeks
C) 6 months
D) 1 year
Answer: B) 4-12 weeks
Rationale: The lipid profile is typically rechecked 4-12 weeks after starting statin therapy
to assess the patient's response to the medication and determine if the treatment goals
are being met .
2. What is a desirable total cholesterol (TC) range?
A) < 150 mg/dL
B) < 200 mg/dL
C) 200-240 mg/dL
D) > 240 mg/dL
Answer: B) < 200 mg/dL
Rationale: Desirable total cholesterol is less than 200 mg/dL. Borderline high is 200-240
mg/dL, and high is >240 mg/dL .
Domain: Diabetes Management
3. Which medication classes place a patient at the highest risk for hypoglycemia
during exercise?
, A) Metformin and SGLT-2 inhibitors
B) Insulin and Sulfonylureas
C) DPP-4 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists
D) Thiazolidinediones and Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors
Answer: B) Insulin and Sulfonylureas
Rationale: Insulin (e.g., Lantus, Novolog) and sulfonylureas (e.g., Glipizide, glimepiride)
are medications that can significantly increase the risk of hypoglycemia, especially
during and after exercise .
Domain: Patient Assessment & Psychosocial Management
4. Depression among cardiac patients has been associated with:
A) Improved recovery outcomes
B) Higher motivation for exercise
C) Higher risk of mortality
D) Decreased need for medication
Answer: C) Higher risk of mortality
Rationale: Depression in cardiac patients is linked to poorer health outcomes, including
a higher risk of mortality, making its assessment and management crucial in cardiac
rehabilitation .
Domain: Nutrition
5. What is the recommended daily saturated fat intake goal as a percentage of
total calories?
A) Less than 5-6%
B) 10-15%
C) 20-25%
D) 30-35%
, Answer: A) Less than 5-6%
Rationale: To improve lipid profiles and reduce cardiovascular risk, the goal is for
saturated fat to constitute less than 5-6% of total daily calories .
Domain: Exercise Training & Physiology
6. What is a typical target RPE (Rating of Perceived Exertion) for moderate-
intensity exercise in cardiac rehab?
A) 1-5
B) 6-8
C) 11-13
D) 17-20
Answer: C) 11-13
Rationale: An RPE of 11-13 corresponds to "fairly light" to "somewhat hard" and is a
standard target for moderate-intensity aerobic exercise in many cardiac rehabilitation
programs .
7. Which of the following has the greatest impact on a person's resting metabolic
rate (RMR)?
A) Physical activity level
B) Thermic effect of food
C) Lean body mass
D) Body fat percentage
Answer: C) Lean body mass
Rationale: Resting metabolic rate (RMR) is primarily determined by lean body mass,
which includes skeletal muscle, organs, and bones .
, 8. Which of the following is a common contraindication to exercise in cardiac
rehabilitation?
A. Stable angina
B. Uncontrolled arrhythmias
C. Mild hypertension
D. History of MI 6 months ago
Answer: B. Uncontrolled arrhythmias
Rationale: Uncontrolled arrhythmias pose a significant risk during exercise and are a
contraindication until the patient's condition is stabilized .
9. Which lipid abnormality is most strongly associated with coronary artery
disease?
A. Low LDL cholesterol
B. High HDL cholesterol
C. High LDL cholesterol
D. Low triglycerides
Answer: C. High LDL cholesterol
Rationale: Elevated LDL cholesterol contributes to the formation of atherosclerotic
plaque, which is a key factor in the development and progression of coronary artery
disease .
10. What is the recommended duration of aerobic exercise per week for cardiac
rehab patients?
A. 30 minutes once per week
B. 75 minutes per week
C. 150 minutes per week
D. 300 minutes per week
Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation –
2026/2027 Questions with Verified Answer
1. When is it recommended to repeat a lipid profile after initiating statin therapy?
A) 1-2 weeks
B) 4-12 weeks
C) 6 months
D) 1 year
Answer: B) 4-12 weeks
Rationale: The lipid profile is typically rechecked 4-12 weeks after starting statin therapy
to assess the patient's response to the medication and determine if the treatment goals
are being met .
2. What is a desirable total cholesterol (TC) range?
A) < 150 mg/dL
B) < 200 mg/dL
C) 200-240 mg/dL
D) > 240 mg/dL
Answer: B) < 200 mg/dL
Rationale: Desirable total cholesterol is less than 200 mg/dL. Borderline high is 200-240
mg/dL, and high is >240 mg/dL .
Domain: Diabetes Management
3. Which medication classes place a patient at the highest risk for hypoglycemia
during exercise?
, A) Metformin and SGLT-2 inhibitors
B) Insulin and Sulfonylureas
C) DPP-4 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists
D) Thiazolidinediones and Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors
Answer: B) Insulin and Sulfonylureas
Rationale: Insulin (e.g., Lantus, Novolog) and sulfonylureas (e.g., Glipizide, glimepiride)
are medications that can significantly increase the risk of hypoglycemia, especially
during and after exercise .
Domain: Patient Assessment & Psychosocial Management
4. Depression among cardiac patients has been associated with:
A) Improved recovery outcomes
B) Higher motivation for exercise
C) Higher risk of mortality
D) Decreased need for medication
Answer: C) Higher risk of mortality
Rationale: Depression in cardiac patients is linked to poorer health outcomes, including
a higher risk of mortality, making its assessment and management crucial in cardiac
rehabilitation .
Domain: Nutrition
5. What is the recommended daily saturated fat intake goal as a percentage of
total calories?
A) Less than 5-6%
B) 10-15%
C) 20-25%
D) 30-35%
, Answer: A) Less than 5-6%
Rationale: To improve lipid profiles and reduce cardiovascular risk, the goal is for
saturated fat to constitute less than 5-6% of total daily calories .
Domain: Exercise Training & Physiology
6. What is a typical target RPE (Rating of Perceived Exertion) for moderate-
intensity exercise in cardiac rehab?
A) 1-5
B) 6-8
C) 11-13
D) 17-20
Answer: C) 11-13
Rationale: An RPE of 11-13 corresponds to "fairly light" to "somewhat hard" and is a
standard target for moderate-intensity aerobic exercise in many cardiac rehabilitation
programs .
7. Which of the following has the greatest impact on a person's resting metabolic
rate (RMR)?
A) Physical activity level
B) Thermic effect of food
C) Lean body mass
D) Body fat percentage
Answer: C) Lean body mass
Rationale: Resting metabolic rate (RMR) is primarily determined by lean body mass,
which includes skeletal muscle, organs, and bones .
, 8. Which of the following is a common contraindication to exercise in cardiac
rehabilitation?
A. Stable angina
B. Uncontrolled arrhythmias
C. Mild hypertension
D. History of MI 6 months ago
Answer: B. Uncontrolled arrhythmias
Rationale: Uncontrolled arrhythmias pose a significant risk during exercise and are a
contraindication until the patient's condition is stabilized .
9. Which lipid abnormality is most strongly associated with coronary artery
disease?
A. Low LDL cholesterol
B. High HDL cholesterol
C. High LDL cholesterol
D. Low triglycerides
Answer: C. High LDL cholesterol
Rationale: Elevated LDL cholesterol contributes to the formation of atherosclerotic
plaque, which is a key factor in the development and progression of coronary artery
disease .
10. What is the recommended duration of aerobic exercise per week for cardiac
rehab patients?
A. 30 minutes once per week
B. 75 minutes per week
C. 150 minutes per week
D. 300 minutes per week
