Geriatric Examination Tool Kit

Cardiovascular Examination Tool Kit

Tests and Safety

1. DVT

2. Vital sign protocols: BP, HR, Resp. Temp. SpO2.

3. Monitoring Cardiovascular S&S - Guidelines

4.a.  Six-Minute Walk: protocol / response guidelines / norms

American Thoracic Society - Guidelines for the Six-Minute Walk Test
American Thoracic Society Board of Directors. (2002). Guidelines for the Six-Minute Walk Test. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 166:1, 111-117.

Bohannon RW. (2007). Six-Minute Walk Test: A Meta-Analysis of Data From Apparently Healthy Elders. Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation. 23:2, 155-160.

4.b.  30 second Chair Stand Test
Rikli RE, Jones CJ (1999). Functional fitness normative scores for community residing older adults ages 60-94. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 7, 160-179.

4. c.  Two minute Step Test
Rikli RE, Jones CJ (1999). Functional fitness normative scores for community residing older adults ages 60-94. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 7, 160-179.

5. Vital signs - blank table for 6MW and Stairs

6. Cardiac Endurance tests

7. Screening for Physical Activity - tools

7.a PAR-Q -- Physical Activity Readiness questionnaire (pdf)

7.b  Easy Exercise and Screening for You  (online)

7.c  PAR-Q+  and EPARMED-X+ (expanded, online versions of the PAR-Q)

8. Audio files: S3 Heart Sounds , and S4 Heart Sounds 

9. Audio files: Lung Sounds

10. Categories of lung disease (COPD & RLD) as defined by Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT)
DeTurk, W., Cahalin, L. (2004) Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy – An Evidence Based Approach. New York: McGraw-Hill p.153.

11. Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) Analysis; Acid-Base Balance

12. Hypoglycemia & Hyperglycemia (patient education poster)
Rogers R. (1993). Hypogylcemia, Hyperglycemia. Sunriso Community Health Center; Northern Colorado Medical Center, Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Inc. 000-114.

13.a.  Vascular Assessment - lower extremity

13.b.  Lower Extremity Amputation Prevention (LEAP)

13.c   Wound Table (by etiology)

13.d  Wound Mgmt. Adjuncts: Compression, Pressure Relief

14. Pitting Edema scales

15. Foot wear Modifications (includes healing footwear)

Scales and Norms

16. Borg: RPE & Dyspnea (full page size)

16.b  Eston-Parfitt (E-P) curvilinear RPE scale - for Children
Eston RG, Lambrick DM, Rowlands A V. The perceptual response to exercise of progressively increasing intensity in children aged 7-8 years: Validation of a pictorial curvilinear ratings of perceived exertion scale. Psychophysiology. 2009;46(4):843-851.

17. For the patient with cognitive impairment, who may not be able to use an RPE scale, consider showing them this picture of a thermometer to estimate how hard they are working. Note: this a clinical method that has not been validated by research.

18. PaO2 and SaO2 values - by age
Burton, G, Gee. G., and Hodgkin, J.E. (1977). Respiratory Care, a Guide to Clinical Practice. Philadelphia, J.B. Lippincott Co. Wilkins, R.L., et al. (1985). Clinical Assessment in Respiratory Care. The C.V. Mo~by Co., St Louis.

19.  Pediatric Respiratory & Heart Rate Reference Values   scroll to  Appendix

1. see Fig. 2, p.13: Respiratory Rate
2. see Fig. 4, p.15: Heart Rate

Fleming S, Thompson M, Stevens R, et al. Normal ranges of heart rate and respiratory rate in children from birth to 18 years  of age: a systematic review of observational studies. Lancet (London, England). 2011;377(9770):1011-1018. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(10)62226-X

20. VERY detailed information on BP for Children & Adults.

20.a  Age-based Pediatric Blood Pressure Reference Charts - 3 sections:

1. Determine age and gender-related BP reference values, using a Calculator
2. Table of hypertension thresholds
3. Reference table of pediatric BP values by age and gender

Shypailo RJ (2018) Age-based Pediatric Blood Pressure Reference Charts. Retrieved 8/18/2020 from the Baylor College of Medicine, Children's Nutrition Research Center, Body Composition Laboratory Web Site: http://www.bcm.edu/bodycomplab/BPappZjs/BPvAgeAPPz.html

20.b  National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. (2007). A Pocket Guide to Blood Pressure Measurement in Children.

National High Blood Pressure Education Program Working Group on High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents. NIH Publication 07-5268. (4 pages). www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/bp_child_pocket/bp_child_pocket.pdf

20.c  The Fourth Report on the Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents.

Pediatrics 2004 Aug;114 (Suppl 2:) 555-76. (60 pages). http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/heart/hbp/hbp_ped.pdf

20.d  JNC_7 Express (2004). Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure.

The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure. NIH Publication No. 03-5233 (52 pages) http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/hypertension/express.pdf

20.e Controversy surrounding "JNC_8"

21. MET levels - by decade
DeTurk, W., Cahalin, L. (2004) Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy – An Evidence Based Approach. New York: McGraw-Hill p.55l

[MET x 3.5 = VO2 Max]

21.a Rockport One Mile Walk Test (VO2 Max calculator)

Walk one mile “as fast as possible”. 
Record total minutes, & HR at completion. 
Online calculator gives you VO2 Max

22. Pulse Strength:
0   =  no pulse
1+ =  weak, difficult to palpat
2+ =  palpable, but diminished
3+ =   normal, easy to palpate
4+ = bounding, very strong

23. Ankle Brachial Index, ABI

24. Ejection Fraction (EF)

  • > 55%        normal
  • 40-55%      mild LV dysfunction
  • 30-40%      moderate LV dysfunction
  • < 30%        severe LV dysfunction

CHF is quantified by an echocardiogram (US) reading of elevated End Diastolic Volume (EDV) and decreased Stroke Volume (SV)

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Creative Commons license

Prost E, Willis BW (2021). Examination Tool Kit. University of Missouri,
School of Health Professions, Department of Physical Therapy

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Updated: Feb. 18, 2021