What instruction should the technician expect to give a patient undergoing an exercise stress test the next morning?

When preparing a patient for an exercise stress test, it is essential to provide guidance on appropriate dietary practices leading up to the test. Advising the patient to eat a light meal two hours before the test ensures that they have enough energy for the exercise without feeling overly full or uncomfortable, which could affect their performance and the results of the test.

This recommendation supports the goal of the test, which is to monitor the heart's response to exertion under controlled conditions. Eating too close to the test or consuming heavy meals can lead to discomfort or inaccurate readings, while avoiding food altogether can lead to low energy levels, which is not optimal for a stress test designed to evaluate cardiac health.

The other options do not align with the best practices for preparations for an exercise stress test. Avoiding all food and drink the night before could lead to an inadequate assessment of the patient’s heart during the test. Engaging in aerobic exercise before the test may artificially elevate heart rates and lead to skewed results, and taking heart medication before the test contradicts standard protocols, which usually involve withholding medications to see the natural response of the heart during stress.