What can the nurse practitioner order to assess cardiovascular health or evaluate the extent of CAD? Select all that apply.

The exercise stress test is a crucial tool for assessing cardiovascular health and evaluating the extent of coronary artery disease (CAD). This test measures the heart's response to physical exertion, providing valuable information about the heart's functional capacity and identifying any ischemic changes that may occur during increased activity. During the test, key indicators such as heart rate, rhythm, and blood pressure are monitored, which can help determine if there are any areas of reduced blood flow to the heart muscle.

While the other options may provide some health information, they do not specifically assess cardiovascular health or evaluate CAD to the same extent as the exercise stress test. For instance, a comprehensive metabolic panel assesses overall metabolic health, including electrolyte and organ function, but it does not focus specifically on cardiac function. Similarly, arterial blood gases primarily evaluate respiratory function and acid-base balance, which are not direct indicators of CAD. Serum triglyceride levels can be a part of lipid profiles that help evaluate cardiovascular risk, but they do not provide direct insight into the functioning of the heart during stress, which is vital for identifying the presence or extent of CAD. Thus, the exercise stress test is the most appropriate choice for evaluating specific cardiovascular health related to CAD.