NR 324 | Adult Health II | Shock, Sepsis & Emergency Care Practice
Pack 2026/2027 |Chamberlain College
1. A patient in the compensatory stage of shock presents with a blood pressure
of 110/70 mmHg. Which compensatory mechanism is primarily responsible for
maintaining this pressure?
A. Vasodilation of the peripheral vessels
B. Decrease in heart rate
C. Release of epinephrine and norepinephrine
D. Increased parasympathetic nervous system activity
Answer: C
Rationale: During the compensatory stage, the sympathetic nervous system is activated,
releasing catecholamines like epinephrine and norepinephrine to increase heart rate and
cause vasoconstriction to maintain blood pressure.
2. Which laboratory value is most indicative of inadequate tissue perfusion and
anaerobic metabolism in a patient with sepsis?
A. Decreased White Blood Cell count
B. Increased Serum Lactate
C. Increased Hemoglobin
D. Decreased Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
Answer: B
Rationale: Lactate levels rise when cells switch from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism due
to inadequate oxygen delivery to the tissues, making it a key marker for shock severity.
,3. The nurse is caring for a patient with septic shock. Which intervention should
be prioritized within the first hour of care according to the Surviving Sepsis
Bundle?
A. Starting a nutritional assessment
B. Obtaining a chest X-ray
C. Administering broad-spectrum antibiotics
D. Checking the patient’s blood type and cross-match
Answer: C
Rationale: Administering broad-spectrum antibiotics within the first hour is a critical
component of the sepsis bundle to treat the underlying infection and improve survival
rates.
4. A patient arrives in the emergency department with a suspected tension
pneumothorax. Which type of shock is this patient at highest risk for?
A. Neurogenic shock
B. Obstructive shock
C. Hypovolemic shock
D. Anaphylactic shock
Answer: B
Rationale: Obstructive shock occurs when a physical obstruction to blood flow (like a
tension pneumothorax or pulmonary embolism) decreases cardiac output.
5. A patient with cardiogenic shock is prescribed Dobutamine. What is the
primary therapeutic goal of this medication?
A. To decrease heart rate
B. To increase myocardial contractility
C. To cause peripheral vasoconstriction
D. To induce sedation
Answer: B
, Rationale: Dobutamine is an inotropic agent used in cardiogenic shock to increase the
force of myocardial contraction and improve cardiac output.
6. In neurogenic shock, which clinical manifestation distinguishes it from other
types of shock?
A. Tachycardia
B. Hypotension
C. Bradycardia
D. Cool, clammy skin
Answer: C
Rationale: Neurogenic shock is unique because the loss of sympathetic tone leads to
bradycardia, whereas most other shocks cause compensatory tachycardia.
7. The nurse is assessing a patient with hypovolemic shock. Which
hemodynamic finding is expected?
A. Increased Central Venous Pressure (CVP)
B. Increased Cardiac Output
C. Decreased Central Venous Pressure (CVP)
D. Decreased Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR)
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypovolemic shock is characterized by a lack of circulating volume, which
results in a low CVP and low preload.
8. A patient is experiencing an anaphylactic reaction to an IV antibiotic. What is
the nurse’s first action?
A. Administer IV fluids
B. Stop the antibiotic infusion
C. Apply oxygen via nasal cannula
D. Call the healthcare provider
Answer: B
Pack 2026/2027 |Chamberlain College
1. A patient in the compensatory stage of shock presents with a blood pressure
of 110/70 mmHg. Which compensatory mechanism is primarily responsible for
maintaining this pressure?
A. Vasodilation of the peripheral vessels
B. Decrease in heart rate
C. Release of epinephrine and norepinephrine
D. Increased parasympathetic nervous system activity
Answer: C
Rationale: During the compensatory stage, the sympathetic nervous system is activated,
releasing catecholamines like epinephrine and norepinephrine to increase heart rate and
cause vasoconstriction to maintain blood pressure.
2. Which laboratory value is most indicative of inadequate tissue perfusion and
anaerobic metabolism in a patient with sepsis?
A. Decreased White Blood Cell count
B. Increased Serum Lactate
C. Increased Hemoglobin
D. Decreased Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
Answer: B
Rationale: Lactate levels rise when cells switch from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism due
to inadequate oxygen delivery to the tissues, making it a key marker for shock severity.
,3. The nurse is caring for a patient with septic shock. Which intervention should
be prioritized within the first hour of care according to the Surviving Sepsis
Bundle?
A. Starting a nutritional assessment
B. Obtaining a chest X-ray
C. Administering broad-spectrum antibiotics
D. Checking the patient’s blood type and cross-match
Answer: C
Rationale: Administering broad-spectrum antibiotics within the first hour is a critical
component of the sepsis bundle to treat the underlying infection and improve survival
rates.
4. A patient arrives in the emergency department with a suspected tension
pneumothorax. Which type of shock is this patient at highest risk for?
A. Neurogenic shock
B. Obstructive shock
C. Hypovolemic shock
D. Anaphylactic shock
Answer: B
Rationale: Obstructive shock occurs when a physical obstruction to blood flow (like a
tension pneumothorax or pulmonary embolism) decreases cardiac output.
5. A patient with cardiogenic shock is prescribed Dobutamine. What is the
primary therapeutic goal of this medication?
A. To decrease heart rate
B. To increase myocardial contractility
C. To cause peripheral vasoconstriction
D. To induce sedation
Answer: B
, Rationale: Dobutamine is an inotropic agent used in cardiogenic shock to increase the
force of myocardial contraction and improve cardiac output.
6. In neurogenic shock, which clinical manifestation distinguishes it from other
types of shock?
A. Tachycardia
B. Hypotension
C. Bradycardia
D. Cool, clammy skin
Answer: C
Rationale: Neurogenic shock is unique because the loss of sympathetic tone leads to
bradycardia, whereas most other shocks cause compensatory tachycardia.
7. The nurse is assessing a patient with hypovolemic shock. Which
hemodynamic finding is expected?
A. Increased Central Venous Pressure (CVP)
B. Increased Cardiac Output
C. Decreased Central Venous Pressure (CVP)
D. Decreased Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR)
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypovolemic shock is characterized by a lack of circulating volume, which
results in a low CVP and low preload.
8. A patient is experiencing an anaphylactic reaction to an IV antibiotic. What is
the nurse’s first action?
A. Administer IV fluids
B. Stop the antibiotic infusion
C. Apply oxygen via nasal cannula
D. Call the healthcare provider
Answer: B
