Final answer:
A stress test or exercise stress test is used to monitor the effect of cardiac function when a patient is unable to engage in physical exercise.
Step-by-step explanation:
The diagnostic test used for a patient who is unable to engage in physical exercise to raise the heart rate to monitor the effect on cardiac function is called a stress test or exercise stress test.
This test is typically performed by having the patient walk on a treadmill or pedal a stationary bike while connected to monitoring devices that measure heart rate, blood pressure, and electrical activity of the heart. The test helps evaluate how the heart responds to stress and can provide information about the presence of coronary artery disease, heart rhythm abnormalities, or other cardiac conditions.
If a patient is unable to perform physical exercise, a pharmacological stress test may be performed instead. In this test, medications are used to artificially increase the heart rate.