NCLEX SEPSIS AND SHOCK EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
VERIFIED.
Which of the following is not a symptom of sepsis?
A. Short of breath
B. Clammy and sweaty skin
C. Slow heart rate
D. Confusion - ANS C
What are signs of Sepsis/Septic shock?
a. tachycardia
b. hypotension
c. fever
d. bradycardia
e. polyuria
f. malaise
g. tachypnea - ANS A, B, C, F, G
A registered nurse is educating a student nurse on the organ specific effects of sepsis. The
registered nurse knows to correct the student when they state:
A) The patient can develop pulmonary edema that could progress to ARDS.
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 1 OF 26
,B) Fluids are important to fight renal failure.
C) The patient will be on blood pressure medication to combat hypertension.
D) The pathophysiology behind the sepsis-induced encephalopathy is not well understood. -
ANS A
Choose the correct progression of sepsis and septic shock
a. local infection -> systemic infection -> SIRS -> organ failure -> MODS -> death
b. local infection -> systemic infection -> organ failure -> MODS -> death
c. local infection -> systemic infection -> organ failure -> MODS -> SIRS -> death
d. systemic infection -> local infection -> SIRS -> organ failure -> MODS -> death - ANS A
The student lists some specific organ effects from sepsis. Which of the following statements
does the nurse recognize as incorrect?
A. "The client in sepsis can develop acute renal failure."
B. "The septic client can develop COPD."
C. "In sepsis, the client will experience hypotension."
D. "The liver may stop filtration during sepsis." - ANS B
A nurse is caring for a patient who has developed septic shock. Upon assessment, which finding
is most important to report to the provider?
A. Cool and clammy skin
B. BP of 90/62
C. O2 Sat 92%
D. HR 120 BPM - ANS A
A nurse educates a student on the sepsis bundle. What statement by the student shows the
teaching was successful?
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, a. within 3 hours hours lactate levels should be measured
b. broad spectrum antibiotics do not need to be given until 24 hrs after admission
c. antibiotics can be given before blood cultures are taken
d. administer 60 ml/kg crystalloid within 3 hours for hypotension - ANS A
The nurse assessing a patient in sepsis in the ICU and wants to find out how the patient is
responding to treatment. What laboratory test would be most appropriate in determining this?
A. CBC
B. BUN and creatinine
C. lactate
D. AST and ALT - ANS C
Which statement below shows that the student nurse correctly understands the general stages
in shock?A. MODS (Multi-system organ dysfunction syndrome) is not associated with any stages
of septic shock.
B. If the shock isn't corrected by the Progressive stage, irreversible damage will be done to the
body and the body will no longer respond to treatment if the patient enters the refractory
stage.
C.The Refractory stage is known as the emergent stage where action must be taken before it
reaches the Progressive stage, which is where irreversible damage occurs.
D. All stages of septic shock is reversible and it is not a medical emergency. - ANS B
1. What is the priority intervention when treating a septic patient?
a. Administer vasopressors
b. Begin the patient on TPN
c. Administer a broad-spectrum antibiotic
d. Begin administration of IV fluid replacement - ANS D
A patient comes into the ER experiencing septic shock. You assess the patient, what is not a
finding that you would expect to see in this patient?
a. oliguria
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 3 OF 26
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
VERIFIED.
Which of the following is not a symptom of sepsis?
A. Short of breath
B. Clammy and sweaty skin
C. Slow heart rate
D. Confusion - ANS C
What are signs of Sepsis/Septic shock?
a. tachycardia
b. hypotension
c. fever
d. bradycardia
e. polyuria
f. malaise
g. tachypnea - ANS A, B, C, F, G
A registered nurse is educating a student nurse on the organ specific effects of sepsis. The
registered nurse knows to correct the student when they state:
A) The patient can develop pulmonary edema that could progress to ARDS.
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 1 OF 26
,B) Fluids are important to fight renal failure.
C) The patient will be on blood pressure medication to combat hypertension.
D) The pathophysiology behind the sepsis-induced encephalopathy is not well understood. -
ANS A
Choose the correct progression of sepsis and septic shock
a. local infection -> systemic infection -> SIRS -> organ failure -> MODS -> death
b. local infection -> systemic infection -> organ failure -> MODS -> death
c. local infection -> systemic infection -> organ failure -> MODS -> SIRS -> death
d. systemic infection -> local infection -> SIRS -> organ failure -> MODS -> death - ANS A
The student lists some specific organ effects from sepsis. Which of the following statements
does the nurse recognize as incorrect?
A. "The client in sepsis can develop acute renal failure."
B. "The septic client can develop COPD."
C. "In sepsis, the client will experience hypotension."
D. "The liver may stop filtration during sepsis." - ANS B
A nurse is caring for a patient who has developed septic shock. Upon assessment, which finding
is most important to report to the provider?
A. Cool and clammy skin
B. BP of 90/62
C. O2 Sat 92%
D. HR 120 BPM - ANS A
A nurse educates a student on the sepsis bundle. What statement by the student shows the
teaching was successful?
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 2 OF 26
, a. within 3 hours hours lactate levels should be measured
b. broad spectrum antibiotics do not need to be given until 24 hrs after admission
c. antibiotics can be given before blood cultures are taken
d. administer 60 ml/kg crystalloid within 3 hours for hypotension - ANS A
The nurse assessing a patient in sepsis in the ICU and wants to find out how the patient is
responding to treatment. What laboratory test would be most appropriate in determining this?
A. CBC
B. BUN and creatinine
C. lactate
D. AST and ALT - ANS C
Which statement below shows that the student nurse correctly understands the general stages
in shock?A. MODS (Multi-system organ dysfunction syndrome) is not associated with any stages
of septic shock.
B. If the shock isn't corrected by the Progressive stage, irreversible damage will be done to the
body and the body will no longer respond to treatment if the patient enters the refractory
stage.
C.The Refractory stage is known as the emergent stage where action must be taken before it
reaches the Progressive stage, which is where irreversible damage occurs.
D. All stages of septic shock is reversible and it is not a medical emergency. - ANS B
1. What is the priority intervention when treating a septic patient?
a. Administer vasopressors
b. Begin the patient on TPN
c. Administer a broad-spectrum antibiotic
d. Begin administration of IV fluid replacement - ANS D
A patient comes into the ER experiencing septic shock. You assess the patient, what is not a
finding that you would expect to see in this patient?
a. oliguria
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 3 OF 26
