BOARD CERTIFIED CLINICAL EXERCISE
SPECIALIST (BCCES) EXAM QUESTION
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which vital sign is most important to monitor during aerobic exercise in a
cardiac patient?
A. Respiratory rate
B. Oxygen saturation
C. Blood glucose
D. Body temperature
B. Oxygen saturation
Oxygen saturation reflects cardiopulmonary efficiency and helps detect
hypoxemia during exercise.
2. Which condition is an absolute contraindication to exercise testing?
A. Controlled hypertension
B. Mild asthma
C. Acute myocardial infarction
D. Stable angina
C. Acute myocardial infarction
Exercise testing is contraindicated due to risk of further cardiac damage.
3. Which heart rate calculation method is most appropriate for patients on
beta-blockers?
A. Age-predicted HRmax
B. Karvonen formula
, C. Resting heart rate only
D. Rating of perceived exertion
D. Rating of perceived exertion
Beta-blockers blunt heart rate response, making RPE more reliable.
4. Which MET level represents light-intensity activity?
A. <3 METs
B. 3–6 METs
C. 6–9 METs
D. >9 METs
A. <3 METs
Light activity requires minimal energy expenditure.
5. Which test best estimates functional capacity in older adults?
A. VO₂max test
B. Bruce treadmill test
C. Six-minute walk test
D. Wingate test
C. Six-minute walk test
It is safe, simple, and reflective of daily activity tolerance.
6. Which blood pressure response during exercise is abnormal?
A. Gradual systolic increase
B. Stable diastolic pressure
C. Decrease in systolic pressure
D. Slight increase in pulse pressure
C. Decrease in systolic pressure
This may indicate myocardial ischemia or cardiac dysfunction.
7. Which population benefits most from interval training?
A. Acute stroke patients
B. Post-surgical patients
C. Stable cardiac patients
D. Uncontrolled diabetics
, C. Stable cardiac patients
Intervals improve aerobic capacity safely when clinically stable.
8. What is the primary goal of phase II cardiac rehabilitation?
A. Risk stratification
B. Medical stabilization
C. Supervised exercise training
D. Independent exercise
C. Supervised exercise training
Phase II focuses on monitored exercise and education.
9. Which is a sign to terminate exercise immediately?
A. Mild dyspnea
B. Muscle fatigue
C. Dizziness and pallor
D. Sweating
C. Dizziness and pallor
These may indicate inadequate cerebral perfusion.
10.Which glucose level is unsafe for initiating exercise?
A. 90 mg/dL
B. 120 mg/dL
C. 180 mg/dL
D. 300 mg/dL
D. 300 mg/dL
Very high glucose increases risk of dehydration and ketoacidosis.
11.Which assessment best evaluates balance in neurological patients?
A. Grip strength
B. Berg Balance Scale
C. Sit-and-reach
D. VO₂max
B. Berg Balance Scale
It specifically measures static and dynamic balance.
SPECIALIST (BCCES) EXAM QUESTION
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which vital sign is most important to monitor during aerobic exercise in a
cardiac patient?
A. Respiratory rate
B. Oxygen saturation
C. Blood glucose
D. Body temperature
B. Oxygen saturation
Oxygen saturation reflects cardiopulmonary efficiency and helps detect
hypoxemia during exercise.
2. Which condition is an absolute contraindication to exercise testing?
A. Controlled hypertension
B. Mild asthma
C. Acute myocardial infarction
D. Stable angina
C. Acute myocardial infarction
Exercise testing is contraindicated due to risk of further cardiac damage.
3. Which heart rate calculation method is most appropriate for patients on
beta-blockers?
A. Age-predicted HRmax
B. Karvonen formula
, C. Resting heart rate only
D. Rating of perceived exertion
D. Rating of perceived exertion
Beta-blockers blunt heart rate response, making RPE more reliable.
4. Which MET level represents light-intensity activity?
A. <3 METs
B. 3–6 METs
C. 6–9 METs
D. >9 METs
A. <3 METs
Light activity requires minimal energy expenditure.
5. Which test best estimates functional capacity in older adults?
A. VO₂max test
B. Bruce treadmill test
C. Six-minute walk test
D. Wingate test
C. Six-minute walk test
It is safe, simple, and reflective of daily activity tolerance.
6. Which blood pressure response during exercise is abnormal?
A. Gradual systolic increase
B. Stable diastolic pressure
C. Decrease in systolic pressure
D. Slight increase in pulse pressure
C. Decrease in systolic pressure
This may indicate myocardial ischemia or cardiac dysfunction.
7. Which population benefits most from interval training?
A. Acute stroke patients
B. Post-surgical patients
C. Stable cardiac patients
D. Uncontrolled diabetics
, C. Stable cardiac patients
Intervals improve aerobic capacity safely when clinically stable.
8. What is the primary goal of phase II cardiac rehabilitation?
A. Risk stratification
B. Medical stabilization
C. Supervised exercise training
D. Independent exercise
C. Supervised exercise training
Phase II focuses on monitored exercise and education.
9. Which is a sign to terminate exercise immediately?
A. Mild dyspnea
B. Muscle fatigue
C. Dizziness and pallor
D. Sweating
C. Dizziness and pallor
These may indicate inadequate cerebral perfusion.
10.Which glucose level is unsafe for initiating exercise?
A. 90 mg/dL
B. 120 mg/dL
C. 180 mg/dL
D. 300 mg/dL
D. 300 mg/dL
Very high glucose increases risk of dehydration and ketoacidosis.
11.Which assessment best evaluates balance in neurological patients?
A. Grip strength
B. Berg Balance Scale
C. Sit-and-reach
D. VO₂max
B. Berg Balance Scale
It specifically measures static and dynamic balance.
