Ace the NPTE 2026: Boost Your PT Powers with this Action-Packed Practice Exam!

In assessing cardiovascular responses during physical activity, particularly at a moderate MET level of 4, an inadequate increase in systolic blood pressure can indicate poor left ventricular function. Normal physiological responses involve a significant rise in systolic blood pressure to accommodate increased cardiac output and meet the demands of physical exertion.

Selecting a blood pressure reading of 108/78 mm Hg indicates a systolic value that is relatively low considering the activity level. This minimal response suggests that the heart is not effectively increasing its output, which can be a sign of poor left ventricular performance. In contrast, higher readings represent more expected and appropriate physiological responses, showing that the heart is adequately responding to the workload imposed by the activity.

A systolic pressure that does not increase sufficiently relative to the metabolic demands during exercise can signal heart failure or inadequate cardiac function, highlighting the importance of monitoring these changes during physical assessment. The subtle rise in systolic pressure observed in the other options better reflects a healthy cardiovascular response to the activity level.