Phases of Cardiac Rehab

Question 1

Summarise the four phases of cardiac rehabilitation.
(“Give the headline for Phases 1-4”)

Answer 1

• Phase 1 – Discharge planning & first follow-up phone call
• Phase 2 – Face-to-face intake, evaluation, goal-setting
• Phase 3 – Active rehab programme (supervised group / home)
• Phase 4 – Long-term self-management & patient monitoring

Use these labels in MDT handovers.

Question 2

What happens in Phase 1 of cardiac rehab?
(“Describe early discharge planning tasks”)

Answer 2

• Ward education on meds, red-flag symptoms, activity pacing
• Arrange first telephone follow-up
• Begin risk-factor counselling

Opportunity to set expectations for later phases.

Question 3

Outline the goals of Phase 2.
(“What’s unique about the face-to-face intake?”)

Answer 3

• Comprehensive assessment (clinical, psychosocial, lifestyle)
• Establish personalised SMART goals
• Baseline metrics (BP, lipids, CPET if used)

Solid documentation drives Phase 3 programme design.

Question 4

Describe the core of Phase 3.
(“What does the ‘active programme’ include?”)

Answer 4

• Supervised aerobic & resistance sessions (centre or home)
• Education modules – meds, nutrition, stress management
• Progress reviews & dose adjustments

Where Band 6 roles often operate day-to-day.

Question 5

What is the focus of Phase 4 self-management?
(“Long-term maintenance tasks”)

Answer 5

• Patient-led exercise & lifestyle monitoring
• Community gym / walking groups
• Annual review of risk factors

Transition point – teach self-BP/HR checks & symptom diary.

Question 6

Which phase(s) usually involve formal telephone follow-up?
(“When do nurses ring patients?”)

Answer 6

• End of Phase 1 → instigate first call within 1 week post-discharge
• Check adherence before Phase 2 intake

Early engagement ↑ enrolment into later phases.

Question 7

Give two examples of goal-setting metrics used in Phase 2.
(“SMART measures?”)

Answer 7

• “Walk 20 min, 5×/week at RPE 11–13 within 4 weeks”
• “Reduce LDL-C by 0.5 mmol/L in 3 months”

Link each goal to patient priorities (return to work, hobbies).

Question 8

Name three education topics delivered during Phase 3 classes.
(“Classroom content?”)

Answer 8

• Medication adherence & side-effects
• Heart-healthy nutrition (Mediterranean plate)
• Stress management / relaxation techniques

Embed quiz questions to reinforce recall.

Question 9

What criterion indicates readiness to progress from Phase 3 to Phase 4?
(“Safety check before discharge to self-care”)

Answer 9

• Consistently exercises at prescribed intensity without symptoms
• Demonstrates correct use of RPE / HR monitoring
• Understands red-flag action plan

Complete final 6-min walk or CPET for objective proof.

Question 10

How does BACPR p.160 guide long-term contraindication screening?
(“Reference source for Phase IV red flags”)

Answer 10

• Lists unstable diabetes, tachycardia > 100 bpm, symptomatic hypo-/hypertension as key barriers
• Provides clinical signs & required medication stability period

Cite during interview to show guideline literacy.

Question 11

Create a quick mnemonic for the five acute cardiac contraindications.
(“Memory hack for viva?”)

Answer 11

“H-L-S-B-Hf”

• H – Unstable Hypertension
• L – Left main stem
• S – Systemic infection
• B – 3rd-degree Block
• Hf – Acute Heart failure

Drop this mnemonic in OSCE stations to impress examiners.

Question 12

Explain how postural BP testing prevents injuries in rehab classes.
(“Why do we measure lying → standing BP?”)

Answer 12

• Detects orthostatic hypotension → fall risk
• Facilitates med review (e.g., alpha-blockers)
• Allows tailored warm-up pacing

Simple test = cost-effective prevention measure.