Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 3:06 PM AWST
22/07/2026 3:06 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Perform stress testing
Perform stress testing
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTCA403C
HLTCA403C
State Code
D5814
D5814
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
02/08/2011
Field of Education
060301 - General Nursing
Original Release Date
02/08/2011
Nominal Hours
90
Description
DescriptorThis unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare client and assist medical officer during a stress test
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare equipment for use
- 1.1 Check equipment for good working order
- 1.2 Check materials for availability and supply
2. Prepare client for stress testing
- 2.1 Receive and process the request for Holter monitor in accordance with organisation procedures
- 2.2 Identify the client correctly following the organisation's guidelines for preventing client misidentification
- 2.3 Reassure and provide information to the client regarding the stress testing procedure appropriately and completely
- 2.4 Involve the client fully in discussions about their treatment using language they can understand
- 2.5 Provide the client with the opportunity to ask questions and discuss areas of concern
- 2.6 Record client information electronically
- 2.7 Review client medical history and address pre-existing conditions
- 2.8 Obtain and document consent following ethical and legal requirements
3. Attach electrodes for stress test
- 3.1 Maintain the client's privacy and dignity throughout procedure
- 3.2 Complete preparation of client's skin for electrode placement as required
- 3.3 Position the client correctly and comfortably and place electrodes in accordance with client's needs and current standards
- 3.4 Attach blood pressure cuff correctly to the client
4. Assist with stress test
- 4.1 Record blood pressure and 12 lead ECG whilst client is supine and standing
- 4.2 Ensure supervising medical officer is present prior to commencement of test
- 4.3 Provide assistance to the medical officer during the stress test
- 4.4 Record and monitor 12 lead ECG and blood pressure throughout exercise and post exercise in accordance with policies and procedures
- 4.5 Identify and report signs of client discomfort, distress or adverse reaction to the medical officer in attendance and check equipment for true reading
- 4.6 Suspend or stop the test in response to adverse client reaction
- 4.7 Inform and reassure client, as appropriate, throughout the procedure
- 4.8 Maintain communication with the client at all times throughout the procedure
5. Complete stress test
- 5.1 Remove stress test leads and electrodes from client
- 5.2 Store stress test leads in accordance with manufacturer's guidelines
- 5.3 Dispose of disposable stress test electrodes and other materials in accordance with waste management procedures
- 5.4 Provide client with assistance as required, on completion of the procedure
- 5.5 Complete, print and present report to cardiologist for review
RANGE STATEMENT
The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance.
Equipment may include:
Monitoring equipment
Resuscitation equipment
Checking of equipment must include:
Cleanliness
New battery
Calibration
Settings appropriate for a 3 or 5 lead rhythm trace
Maintenance in accordance with the relevant Australian Standard
Materials may include:
Electrodes
Battery
Cassette tape
Surgical tape
Skin prep
Tissues
Clients may include:
Infants
Children
Adolescents
Adults
Elderly
Request may come from:
Registered medical practitioner
Registered nurse
Information given to clients may include:
Correct attire
Expectation/safety of test
Monitoring occurring throughout test
Client information may include:
Client symptoms
Date and time
Medical history e.g. hypertension, hypercholesteraemia, recent myocardial infarction
Medical record number
Medications
Name
Predicted heart rate
Weight
Action in response to client's medical history may include:
Providing for client's special needs
Supine may be
Lying
Sitting
Adverse client reaction mat include:
Chest pain
Client request
Hyper/hypotension
Ischaemic ECG changes
Major cardiac arrhythmia
Respiratory distress
Assistance for the client may include:
Cleaning of gel from chest and limbs
Re-arranging of clothing
Report may include:
Details of client recovery
Details of client symptoms
ECG changes
Maximum heart rate and blood pressure
Percentage of predicted maximum heart rate reached
Reason for completion of test
The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance.
Equipment may include:
Monitoring equipment
Resuscitation equipment
Checking of equipment must include:
Cleanliness
New battery
Calibration
Settings appropriate for a 3 or 5 lead rhythm trace
Maintenance in accordance with the relevant Australian Standard
Materials may include:
Electrodes
Battery
Cassette tape
Surgical tape
Skin prep
Tissues
Clients may include:
Infants
Children
Adolescents
Adults
Elderly
Request may come from:
Registered medical practitioner
Registered nurse
Information given to clients may include:
Correct attire
Expectation/safety of test
Monitoring occurring throughout test
Client information may include:
Client symptoms
Date and time
Medical history e.g. hypertension, hypercholesteraemia, recent myocardial infarction
Medical record number
Medications
Name
Predicted heart rate
Weight
Action in response to client's medical history may include:
Providing for client's special needs
Supine may be
Lying
Sitting
Adverse client reaction mat include:
Chest pain
Client request
Hyper/hypotension
Ischaemic ECG changes
Major cardiac arrhythmia
Respiratory distress
Assistance for the client may include:
Cleaning of gel from chest and limbs
Re-arranging of clothing
Report may include:
Details of client recovery
Details of client symptoms
ECG changes
Maximum heart rate and blood pressure
Percentage of predicted maximum heart rate reached
Reason for completion of test
EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
Where, for reasons of safety, access to equipment and resources and space, assessment takes place away from the workplace, simulations should be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of workplace situations
Access and equity considerations:
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
Resources essential for assessment include:
Clinical risk assessment policies and procedures
Emergency response procedures
Infection control procedures
Other organisation policies and procedures
Relevant organisation policy, guidelines, procedures and protocols
Relevant stress test equipment and leads
Stress test procedure manual
Workplace health and safety guidelines
Method of assessment
Authenticated reports of experience in performing stress testing (Documentation associated with performance reviews, supervisor/coordinator evaluations of work performance)
Authenticated transcripts of relevant education/training courses
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice
Clinical skills involving direct client care are to be assessed initially in a simulated clinical setting (laboratory). If successful, a second assessment is to be conducted during workplace application under direct supervision
Discussion of physical and/or behavioural contingency scenarios involving duty of care
e-learning can be used to assess knowledge
Observation of simulation and/or role play when performing stress testing
Observation of work activities when performing stress testing
Recognition of relevant life/work experience
Training records associated with first aid, occupational health and safety training, orientation/induction training, safe manual handing, universal infection control procedures
Written assessments/projects, questioning,
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
Where, for reasons of safety, access to equipment and resources and space, assessment takes place away from the workplace, simulations should be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of workplace situations
Access and equity considerations:
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
Resources essential for assessment include:
Clinical risk assessment policies and procedures
Emergency response procedures
Infection control procedures
Other organisation policies and procedures
Relevant organisation policy, guidelines, procedures and protocols
Relevant stress test equipment and leads
Stress test procedure manual
Workplace health and safety guidelines
Method of assessment
Authenticated reports of experience in performing stress testing (Documentation associated with performance reviews, supervisor/coordinator evaluations of work performance)
Authenticated transcripts of relevant education/training courses
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice
Clinical skills involving direct client care are to be assessed initially in a simulated clinical setting (laboratory). If successful, a second assessment is to be conducted during workplace application under direct supervision
Discussion of physical and/or behavioural contingency scenarios involving duty of care
e-learning can be used to assess knowledge
Observation of simulation and/or role play when performing stress testing
Observation of work activities when performing stress testing
Recognition of relevant life/work experience
Training records associated with first aid, occupational health and safety training, orientation/induction training, safe manual handing, universal infection control procedures
Written assessments/projects, questioning,
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C9122 | HLTCA403B | Perform stress testing | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| WD081 | HLTCA403D | Perform stress testing | Unit of competency |
