CSC EXAM PREP -CARDIAC SURGERY
CERTIFICATION |ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS|BRAND NEW 2026-2027
UPDATE|GRADED A+
Question 1
A patient in cardiogenic shock is most likely to have which of the following hemodynamic
profiles:
A. Cardiac output = 6 L/min, CVP = 15 mmHg, PAOP = 26 mmHg, SVR = 1600 dynes/sec/cm-
5.
B. Cardiac output = 2.5 L/min, CVP = 4 mmHg, PAOP = 8 mmHg, SVR = 600 dynes/sec/cm-5.
C. Cardiac output = 5 L/min, CVP = 8 mmHg , PAOP = 12 mmHg, SVR = 800 dynes/sec/cm-5.
D. Cardiac output = 2.5 L/min, CVP = 15 mmHg, PAOP = 30 mmHg, SVR = 1800
dynes/sec/cm-5.
CORRECT ANSWER
D. In cardiogenic shock, cardiac contractility is decreased and filling pressures (CVP and
PAOP) are high because the ventricles can't eject their contents adequately. SVR
increases as compensatory vasoconstriction occurs in an attempt to support BP. A normal
CO is 4-8 L/min; CVP is 2-6 mmHg, PAOP is 8-12 mmHg, and SVR is 800-1200
dynes/sec/cm-5.
Question 2
A patient with a right ventricular infarction is likely to have which of the following
hemodynamic profiles:
A. Low cardiac output, high CVP, low PAOP, high SVR.
B. High cardiac output, low CVP, low PAOP, high SVR.
C. Low cardiac output, high CVP, high PAOP, low SVR.
D. Low cardiac output, low SVR, low CVP, low PAOP.
CORRECT ANSWER
1
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, A. In right ventricular infarction right ventricular contractility is reduced, which causes RV
pressure to rise (high CVP) and decreases forwards flow through the lungs and into the
left ventricle, reducing LV filling pressure (low PAOP). SVR increases as peripheral
vasoconstriction attempts to compensate for reduced left ventricular stroke volume in an
effort to maintain BP.
Question 3
The hemodynamic profile most consistent with cardiogenic shock is:
A. Decreased cardiac output, increased preload, decreased afterload and decreased
contractility.
B. Decreased cardiac output, increased preload, increased afterload, and decreased
contractility.
C. Decreased cardiac output, decreased preload, increased afterload, and decreased
contractility.
D. Decreased cardiac output, increased preload, increased afterload, and increased
contractility.
CORRECT ANSWER
B. Cardiac output is decreased as a direct result of decreased contractility of the left
ventricle in cardiogenic shock. Preload increases as a result of backward failure and
afterload increases due to a compensatory vasoconstriction of the arterioles in an effort
to support blood pressure.
Question 4
Cardiogenic shock is primarily due to:
A. Hypovolemia.
B. Inappropriate peripheral vasodilation.
C. Volume overload.
D. Decreased cardiac contractility.
CORRECT ANSWER
2
@https://www.stuvia.com/user/thestudyvault
, D. Shock states are due to either PUMP problems, VOLUME problems, or VESSEL (or
TANK) problems. Cardiogenic shock is a pump problem.
Volume overload and hypovolemia are volume problems. Hypovolemia causes
hypovolemic shock; volume overload can contribute to cardiogenic shock in the presence
of reduced LV function (a pump problem).
Peripheral vasodilation is a vessel problem and can result in vasodilatory shock.
Question 5
A patient in cardiogenic shock is most likely to display:
A. Bradycardia, hypotension, narrow pulse pressure, JVD.
B. Tachycardia, widened pulse pressure, hypotension, JVD.
C. Hypotension, narrow pulse pressure, tachycardia, crackles in the lungs.
D. Hypotension, bradycardia, and clear lungs.
CORRECT ANSWER
C. In cardiogenic shock, the cardiac output falls resulting in a decrease in systolic blood
pressure. As a compensatory mechanism, arterial vasoconstriction results in a narrowing
of the pulse pressure as diastolic blood pressure rises. Tachycardia also occurs as a
compensatory mechanism. If the left ventricle fails to send an adequate amount of blood
forward, left ventricular end diastolic volume will increase. The increase in left
ventricular end diastolic volume can be transmitted backwards and result in pulmonary
edema and crackles in the lungs.
Bradycardia is unusual in cardiogenic shock because the sympathetic nervous system's
response to the decrease in cardiac output is to increase heart rate.
JVD is a sign of right sided failure. Cardiogenic shock is due to decreased left ventricular
function. Right ventricular failure can occur in cardiogenic shock and may result in JVD.
Question 6
All of the following can result in obstructive shock EXCEPT:
A. Tension pneumothorax.
3
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, B. Pulmonary embolus.
C. Hypovolemia.
D. Cardiac tamponade.
CORRECT ANSWER
C. Although hypovolemia can be a cause of shock, there is no obstruction to flow in
hypovolemia. Hypovolemic shock can be treated with fluid resuscitation.
Obstructive shock can occur when there is some obstruction to blood flow. Pulmonary
embolism results in an obstruction of blood blow within the pulmonary arterial system.
Depending on the size of the clot, shock can develop. Pulmonary embolism can be a
cause of acute right heart failure.
Cardiac tamponade is caused by excess blood or fluid in the pericardial sac that interferes
with the heart's ability to fill during diastole. Cardiac tamponade causes an obstruction
to normal right ventricular filling and can also reduce left ventricular filling.
A tension pneumothorax can cause a mediastinal shift and compress the heart. This
compression can result in an obstruction to normal ventricular filling. All forms of
obstructive shock require a removal of the obstruction (resolution of the underlying
cause) in order to reverse the shock state.
Question 7
A 32 year old patient is admitted after a motorcycle crash. He is intubated and has a chest
tube to treat a pneumothorax. A PA catheter is inserted to assist in monitoring his
hemodynamic status. His hemodynamic parameters are:
BP 88/64 mmHg, CO: 3.2 L/min, CI: 1.9 L/min/M2, CVP: 3 mmHg, PAOP: 6 mmHg, SVR =
1725 dynes/sec/cm-5, SVO2: 52%, SVI: 22 ml/beat/M2.
What would be the most appropriate treatment:
A. IV fluids.
B. Phenylephrine.
C. Dopamine.
D. Dobutamine.
CORRECT ANSWER
4
@https://www.stuvia.com/user/thestudyvault
CERTIFICATION |ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS|BRAND NEW 2026-2027
UPDATE|GRADED A+
Question 1
A patient in cardiogenic shock is most likely to have which of the following hemodynamic
profiles:
A. Cardiac output = 6 L/min, CVP = 15 mmHg, PAOP = 26 mmHg, SVR = 1600 dynes/sec/cm-
5.
B. Cardiac output = 2.5 L/min, CVP = 4 mmHg, PAOP = 8 mmHg, SVR = 600 dynes/sec/cm-5.
C. Cardiac output = 5 L/min, CVP = 8 mmHg , PAOP = 12 mmHg, SVR = 800 dynes/sec/cm-5.
D. Cardiac output = 2.5 L/min, CVP = 15 mmHg, PAOP = 30 mmHg, SVR = 1800
dynes/sec/cm-5.
CORRECT ANSWER
D. In cardiogenic shock, cardiac contractility is decreased and filling pressures (CVP and
PAOP) are high because the ventricles can't eject their contents adequately. SVR
increases as compensatory vasoconstriction occurs in an attempt to support BP. A normal
CO is 4-8 L/min; CVP is 2-6 mmHg, PAOP is 8-12 mmHg, and SVR is 800-1200
dynes/sec/cm-5.
Question 2
A patient with a right ventricular infarction is likely to have which of the following
hemodynamic profiles:
A. Low cardiac output, high CVP, low PAOP, high SVR.
B. High cardiac output, low CVP, low PAOP, high SVR.
C. Low cardiac output, high CVP, high PAOP, low SVR.
D. Low cardiac output, low SVR, low CVP, low PAOP.
CORRECT ANSWER
1
@https://www.stuvia.com/user/thestudyvault
, A. In right ventricular infarction right ventricular contractility is reduced, which causes RV
pressure to rise (high CVP) and decreases forwards flow through the lungs and into the
left ventricle, reducing LV filling pressure (low PAOP). SVR increases as peripheral
vasoconstriction attempts to compensate for reduced left ventricular stroke volume in an
effort to maintain BP.
Question 3
The hemodynamic profile most consistent with cardiogenic shock is:
A. Decreased cardiac output, increased preload, decreased afterload and decreased
contractility.
B. Decreased cardiac output, increased preload, increased afterload, and decreased
contractility.
C. Decreased cardiac output, decreased preload, increased afterload, and decreased
contractility.
D. Decreased cardiac output, increased preload, increased afterload, and increased
contractility.
CORRECT ANSWER
B. Cardiac output is decreased as a direct result of decreased contractility of the left
ventricle in cardiogenic shock. Preload increases as a result of backward failure and
afterload increases due to a compensatory vasoconstriction of the arterioles in an effort
to support blood pressure.
Question 4
Cardiogenic shock is primarily due to:
A. Hypovolemia.
B. Inappropriate peripheral vasodilation.
C. Volume overload.
D. Decreased cardiac contractility.
CORRECT ANSWER
2
@https://www.stuvia.com/user/thestudyvault
, D. Shock states are due to either PUMP problems, VOLUME problems, or VESSEL (or
TANK) problems. Cardiogenic shock is a pump problem.
Volume overload and hypovolemia are volume problems. Hypovolemia causes
hypovolemic shock; volume overload can contribute to cardiogenic shock in the presence
of reduced LV function (a pump problem).
Peripheral vasodilation is a vessel problem and can result in vasodilatory shock.
Question 5
A patient in cardiogenic shock is most likely to display:
A. Bradycardia, hypotension, narrow pulse pressure, JVD.
B. Tachycardia, widened pulse pressure, hypotension, JVD.
C. Hypotension, narrow pulse pressure, tachycardia, crackles in the lungs.
D. Hypotension, bradycardia, and clear lungs.
CORRECT ANSWER
C. In cardiogenic shock, the cardiac output falls resulting in a decrease in systolic blood
pressure. As a compensatory mechanism, arterial vasoconstriction results in a narrowing
of the pulse pressure as diastolic blood pressure rises. Tachycardia also occurs as a
compensatory mechanism. If the left ventricle fails to send an adequate amount of blood
forward, left ventricular end diastolic volume will increase. The increase in left
ventricular end diastolic volume can be transmitted backwards and result in pulmonary
edema and crackles in the lungs.
Bradycardia is unusual in cardiogenic shock because the sympathetic nervous system's
response to the decrease in cardiac output is to increase heart rate.
JVD is a sign of right sided failure. Cardiogenic shock is due to decreased left ventricular
function. Right ventricular failure can occur in cardiogenic shock and may result in JVD.
Question 6
All of the following can result in obstructive shock EXCEPT:
A. Tension pneumothorax.
3
@https://www.stuvia.com/user/thestudyvault
, B. Pulmonary embolus.
C. Hypovolemia.
D. Cardiac tamponade.
CORRECT ANSWER
C. Although hypovolemia can be a cause of shock, there is no obstruction to flow in
hypovolemia. Hypovolemic shock can be treated with fluid resuscitation.
Obstructive shock can occur when there is some obstruction to blood flow. Pulmonary
embolism results in an obstruction of blood blow within the pulmonary arterial system.
Depending on the size of the clot, shock can develop. Pulmonary embolism can be a
cause of acute right heart failure.
Cardiac tamponade is caused by excess blood or fluid in the pericardial sac that interferes
with the heart's ability to fill during diastole. Cardiac tamponade causes an obstruction
to normal right ventricular filling and can also reduce left ventricular filling.
A tension pneumothorax can cause a mediastinal shift and compress the heart. This
compression can result in an obstruction to normal ventricular filling. All forms of
obstructive shock require a removal of the obstruction (resolution of the underlying
cause) in order to reverse the shock state.
Question 7
A 32 year old patient is admitted after a motorcycle crash. He is intubated and has a chest
tube to treat a pneumothorax. A PA catheter is inserted to assist in monitoring his
hemodynamic status. His hemodynamic parameters are:
BP 88/64 mmHg, CO: 3.2 L/min, CI: 1.9 L/min/M2, CVP: 3 mmHg, PAOP: 6 mmHg, SVR =
1725 dynes/sec/cm-5, SVO2: 52%, SVI: 22 ml/beat/M2.
What would be the most appropriate treatment:
A. IV fluids.
B. Phenylephrine.
C. Dopamine.
D. Dobutamine.
CORRECT ANSWER
4
@https://www.stuvia.com/user/thestudyvault
