For a patient on dobutamine therapy, the exercise approach should be:

For a patient on dobutamine therapy, the exercise approach should be:

• A. Be unchanged.
• B. Be modified.
• C. Be stopped completely.
• D. Be replaced with only passive movements.

Answer: (B)

Dobutamine increases heart rate, contractility, and overall cardiac workload, so the usual exercise plan must be adjusted to match the amplified cardiovascular response. A modified approach keeps the patient safe while still supporting conditioning: start at a lower intensity, use shorter bouts with longer rests, and closely monitor heart rate, blood pressure, and symptoms. Set exercise targets with the clinician’s guidance (or use submaximal targets and RPE), and extend warm-up and cool-down to allow gradual adaptation. Avoid high-intensity or maximal efforts and be prepared to stop or slow down if chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, or abnormal vitals occur. Coordination with the prescribing physician is important because the infusion rate and patient status can change, influencing what is safely achievable.

Dobutamine increases heart rate, contractility, and overall cardiac workload, so the usual exercise plan must be adjusted to match the amplified cardiovascular response. A modified approach keeps the patient safe while still supporting conditioning: start at a lower intensity, use shorter bouts with longer rests, and closely monitor heart rate, blood pressure, and symptoms. Set exercise targets with the clinician’s guidance (or use submaximal targets and RPE), and extend warm-up and cool-down to allow gradual adaptation. Avoid high-intensity or maximal efforts and be prepared to stop or slow down if chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, or abnormal vitals occur. Coordination with the prescribing physician is important because the infusion rate and patient status can change, influencing what is safely achievable.