This NURS 5315 Shock 2026/2027 exam preparation document contains 70 multiple-choice questions with answers and detailed rationales covering the pathophysiology, stages, clinical manifestations, compensatory mechanisms, and management principles of shock. Major topics include hypovolemic shock, cardiogenic shock, distributive and septic shock, anaphylactic shock, compensated and decompensated shock, irreversible shock, tissue hypoperfusion, lactic acidosis, fluid resuscitation, vasopressors, sepsis, and multi-organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). NURS 5315 Shock 2026
The document begins with the fundamental pathophysiology of shock and inadequate tissue perfusion. Questions connect impaired oxygen and nutrient delivery with reduced oxidative phosphorylation, ATP depletion, anaerobic metabolism, lactic acid accumulation, metabolic acidosis, sodium-potassium pump dysfunction, cellular swelling, and progressive organ dysfunction. Students also review physiological compensation through baroreceptor activation, sympathetic nervous system stimulation, catecholamine release, tachycardia, vasoconstriction, increased systemic vascular resistance, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), and antidiuretic hormone (ADH). NURS 5315 Shock 2026
A substantial portion differentiates the stages of shock. Compensated shock is associated in the document with sympathetic activation, tachycardia, peripheral vasoconstriction, cold clammy skin, and redistribution of blood toward vital organs. Decompensated shock progresses to hypotension, weak or thready pulses, worsening metabolic acidosis, capillary leakage, decreased urine output, and changes in mental status. Irreversible shock is associated with severe organ failure, including anuria and deterioration of effective cardiac function. NURS 5315 Shock 2026
The questions also distinguish major shock classifications and hemodynamic mechanisms. Hypovolemic shock is reviewed in relation to hemorrhage and decreased circulating volume, while cardiogenic shock is linked to myocardial infarction, reduced cardiac output, increased preload, and the potential for excessive fluid administration to worsen pulmonary edema. Distributive shock is presented as widespread vasodilation with reduced systemic vascular resistance, providing the physiological framework for the document's later coverage of septic and anaphylactic shock. NURS 5315 Shock 2026
The anaphylactic shock section reviews allergen-triggered systemic reactions, mast-cell and basophil mediator release, histamine, leukotrienes, vasodilation, increased capillary permeability, bronchoconstriction, hypotension, angioedema, wheezing, urticaria, and gastrointestinal manifestations. Treatment-related questions cover epinephrine and alpha-1-mediated vasoconstriction, isotonic crystalloid resuscitation, albuterol for severe bronchospasm, H1 antihistamines for hives and itching, and corticosteroids as described in the source material. NURS 5315 Shock 2026
Another high-yield section focuses on sepsis and septic shock, including systemic vasodilation, reduced systemic vascular resistance, persistent hypotension, vasopressor use, mean arterial pressure (MAP), serum lactate, inflammatory responses, TNF-alpha, SIRS concepts, SOFA scoring, organ dysfunction, and ARDS. The document specifically teaches a MAP target of at least 65 mm Hg and connects elevated serum lactate with impaired tissue perfusion and anaerobic metabolism. NURS 5315 Shock 2026
The final section provides detailed practice on multi-organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Questions progress through initial, intermediate, progressive, late, and chronic phases, addressing compensatory tachycardia, ARDS and mechanical ventilation, gastrointestinal dysfunction and ileus, worsening organ failure, prognosis, and prolonged rehabilitation among survivors. This progression makes the document useful not only for memorizing shock terminology but also for understanding how persistent systemic hypoperfusion and inflammation can develop into progressive multi-system dysfunction. NURS 5315 Shock 2026
Relevant students: This resource is particularly relevant to NURS 5315 students, nursing students, advanced practice nursing students, nurse practitioner students, critical care nursing students, emergency nursing students, pathophysiology students, and other health-sciences students studying shock, sepsis, hemodynamics, perfusion, and critical illness. It is suited to exam preparation, active recall, self-testing, and review of clinical manifestations and physiological mechanisms. The uploaded document does not specify a university, so an institution should not be attributed to the material without additional evidence. NURS 5315 Shock 2026
Academic References: Hall, J. E., & Hall, M. E. Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology. Elsevier. Relevant sections provide foundational physiology for tissue perfusion, cardiac output, circulatory shock, sympathetic compensation, RAAS, ADH, and cardiovascular regulation. Jameson, J. L., Fauci, A. S., Kasper, D. L., Hauser, S. L., Loscalzo, J., & Longo, D. L. (Eds.). Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine. McGraw Hill. Relevant chapters provide clinical background on shock, sepsis, anaphylaxis, organ dysfunction, and critical illness. These references provide academic context; the description of what is actually contained in this study resource is based on the uploaded document itself. NURS 5315 Shock 2026
Keywords: NURS 5315 shock, shock exam questions, shock questions and answers, shock exam , shock pathophysiology, nursing shock exam, shock study guide, hypovolemic shock, cardiogenic shock, distributive shock, septic shock, anaphylactic shock, compensated shock, decompensated shock, irreversible shock, inadequate tissue perfusion, lactic acidosis, anaerobic metabolism, metabolic acidosis, shock stages, shock clinical manifestations, hemodynamics, cardiac output, systemic vascular resistance, fluid resuscitation, vasopressors, catecholamines, RAAS, antidiuretic hormone, ADH, anaphylaxis, epinephrine, histamine, leukotrienes, sepsis, septic shock questions, SIRS, SOFA score, serum lactate, MAP 65, TNF alpha, MODS, multi organ dysfunction syndrome, ARDS, critical care nursing, emergency nursing, nursing pathophysiology, shock exam preparation
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NURS 5315 Shock 2026/2027
Exam Questions and Answers |
Already Graded A+
What is the primary characteristic of shock?
A) Hypertension
B) Inadequate tissue perfusion
C) Increased oxygen delivery
D) Increased cardiac output - ANSWER ✔✔B) Inadequate tissue
perfusion
,Rationale: Shock is defined by inadequate tissue perfusion, leading to
decreased oxygen and nutrient delivery to cells.
Which of the following best describes the primary consequence of
anaerobic metabolism in shock?
A) Increased ATP production
B) Increased oxygen consumption
C) Lactic acid accumulation
D) Enhanced cellular function - ANSWER ✔✔C) Lactic acid
accumulation
Rationale: Anaerobic metabolism results in lactic acid accumulation,
leading to metabolic acidosis and further impairing cellular function.
What is the major cause of metabolic acidosis in shock?
A) Hypoventilation
B) Excessive bicarbonate production
C) Lactic acid accumulation
D) Hyperkalemia - ANSWER ✔✔C) Lactic acid accumulation
,Rationale: Inadequate oxygen delivery forces cells into anaerobic
metabolism, leading to lactic acid accumulation and metabolic acidosis.
Which type of shock is caused by reduced blood volume?
A) Cardiogenic shock
B) Hypovolemic shock
C) Distributive shock
D) Neurogenic shock - ANSWER ✔✔B) Hypovolemic shock
Rationale: Hypovolemic shock results from a significant decrease in
blood volume, leading to inadequate perfusion.
Which type of shock is primarily caused by heart failure?
A) Cardiogenic shock
B) Hypovolemic shock
C) Septic shock
D) Neurogenic shock - ANSWER ✔✔A) Cardiogenic shock
Rationale: Cardiogenic shock results from decreased cardiac output due
to heart dysfunction, leading to poor tissue perfusion.
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, What happens to sodium and water balance in cells during shock?
A) Sodium moves out of the cells
B) Water moves out of the cells
C) Sodium and water accumulate inside the cells
D) There is no change in sodium and water balance - ANSWER
✔✔C) Sodium and water accumulate inside the cells
Rationale: ATP depletion leads to Na+/K+ pump failure, causing sodium
and water to accumulate inside cells, leading to cellular swelling.
Why does tachycardia occur in shock?
A) To compensate for decreased cardiac output
B) To decrease oxygen demand
C) To reduce metabolic rate
D) To increase waste removal - ANSWER ✔✔A) To compensate for
decreased cardiac output
Rationale: The body increases heart rate to compensate for low cardiac
output and maintain blood flow to vital organs.