ACSM-RCEP Sample Questions & Answers
Training clients and providing leadership during sessions carries the heaviest weight, closely followed by building exercise prescriptions, with equal shares for the initial patient assessment and administering tests, educating patients, and legal responsibilities.
Launch the full ACSM-RCEP simulator →Showing 6 of 12 free samples.
- Question 1IntermediateSelect 2
Patient Assessment · Preparticipation Health Screening and Monitoring Level Determination
When reviewing a patient's preparticipation health screening and medical history, an ACSM-CEP must identify contraindications to exercise testing. Which TWO of the following conditions represent ABSOLUTE contraindications to symptom-limited maximal exercise testing? (Select TWO)
Show answer & explanation
Correct answers: A, D
Ongoing unstable angina is an absolute contraindication to exercise testing because the myocardium is actively ischemic, and the stress of exercise could provoke a myocardial infarction. Acute systemic infection is also an absolute contraindication as it places undue metabolic stress on the body. Left main coronary stenosis and severe arterial hypertension are considered relative contraindications.
Acute systemic infection, accompanied by fever and body aches, is an absolute contraindication. Exercise testing should not proceed until the infection has resolved. Ongoing unstable angina is the other absolute contraindication in this list.
- Question 2Intermediate
Patient Assessment · Resting Biometric Data Assessment
During a pre-exercise vital sign assessment for a pulmonary rehabilitation program, a patient with severe COPD presents with a resting SpO2 of 86% on room air. The patient appears comfortable and denies acute dyspnea. What is the most appropriate clinical decision?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
According to AACVPR and GOLD guidelines, an SpO2 < 88% indicates significant hypoxemia. Exercise should be withheld until supplemental oxygen is administered (per physician orders) to bring the saturation to at least 88-90% to prevent exercise-induced hypoxia and associated complications.
- Question 3Beginner
Patient Assessment · Medical Record Assessment
True or False: HITRUST is a certification framework that provides a comprehensive approach to regulatory compliance and risk management, standardizing requirements across multiple regulations including HIPAA.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
True. The Health Information Trust Alliance (HITRUST) provides a certifiable framework (CSF) that harmonizes multiple compliance requirements, including HIPAA, to help healthcare organizations manage data security and risk. ACSM-CEPs must understand these frameworks when handling electronic medical records.
- Question 4Intermediate
Patient Assessment · Patient Goals, Needs, and Motivation Assessment
During a behavioral assessment, an ACSM-CEP determines that a patient has been thinking about starting an exercise program within the next 6 months but has not yet taken any action. According to the ____________ Model, this patient is currently in the contemplation stage.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
The Transtheoretical Model (TTM), also known as the Stages of Change model, categorizes readiness to change into distinct stages: precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance. Thinking about change within 6 months characterizes the contemplation stage.
- Question 5Advanced
Patient Assessment · Resting Biometric Data Assessment
An ACSM-CEP is conducting an intake assessment on a 50-year-old male veteran with bilateral transfemoral (above-knee) amputations. The CEP needs to assess his body composition and adiposity to evaluate cardiovascular risk. Which of the following anthropometric strategies is the MOST appropriate substitute for standard BMI calculation in this specific patient?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Standard BMI is invalid for patients with major limb amputations because the weight-to-height ratio is fundamentally altered. While adjusted BMI equations exist, waist circumference is a validated, direct, and practical independent measure of central adiposity and cardiometabolic risk that is unaffected by lower limb amputations.
- Question 6Intermediate
Exercise Testing · Exercise Test Result Evaluation and Reporting
During a maximal graded exercise test utilizing a metabolic cart, a patient achieves a peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) of 24.5 mL/kg/min. What is this patient's functional capacity expressed in Metabolic Equivalents (METs)?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
One MET is defined as the resting oxygen consumption, which equals 3.5 mL/kg/min. To convert relative VO2 to METs, divide the VO2 value by 3.5. Therefore, 24.5 mL/kg/min ÷ 3.5 = 7.0 METs.
Ready for the real thing?
The full ACSM-RCEP simulator has every exam-style question, timed mode, and instant scoring.