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Adult Health Nursing II Exam 4 & Final — Practice Questions with Detailed
Rationales Shock, Multisystem Failure & Renal | 2026–2027 Edition
SECTION 1: TYPES OF SHOCK (CARDIOGENIC, SEPTIC,
ANAPHYLACTIC, HYPOVOLEMIC, NEUROGENIC) — Questions
Q1. A client presents with hypotension, tachycardia, and cool,
clammy skin after a myocardial infarction. Which type of shock
is most likely?
A. Septic shock
B. Cardiogenic shock
C. Anaphylactic shock
D. Neurogenic shock
Answer: B
Rationale: Cardiogenic shock occurs when the heart fails to
pump effectively, leading to decreased cardiac output,
hypotension, and signs of poor perfusion (cool, clammy skin,
tachycardia).
Q2. A client with a severe systemic infection develops fever,
tachycardia, and warm, flushed skin. Which type of shock is
most likely?
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A. Cardiogenic shock
B. Hypovolemic shock
C. Septic shock
D. Obstructive shock
Answer: C
Rationale: Septic shock is characterized by warm, flushed skin
early in its course due to vasodilation, along with fever,
tachycardia, and hypotension.
Q3. A client develops hives, wheezing, and hypotension
minutes after receiving penicillin. Which type of shock is most
likely?
A. Septic shock
B. Anaphylactic shock
C. Cardiogenic shock
D. Neurogenic shock
Answer: B
Rationale: Anaphylactic shock is a severe allergic reaction
characterized by hives, wheezing, hypotension, and airway
compromise.
Q4. A client with a spinal cord injury at T4 develops
hypotension and bradycardia. Which type of shock is most
likely?
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A. Hypovolemic shock
B. Cardiogenic shock
C. Neurogenic shock
D. Septic shock
Answer: C
Rationale: Neurogenic shock results from loss of sympathetic
tone, causing vasodilation, hypotension, and bradycardia
(unlike other types of shock, which cause tachycardia).
Q5. A client with severe vomiting and diarrhea develops
hypotension and tachycardia. Which type of shock is most
likely?
A. Septic shock
B. Hypovolemic shock
C. Cardiogenic shock
D. Anaphylactic shock
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypovolemic shock results from loss of intravascular
volume, leading to hypotension, tachycardia, and decreased
preload.
Q6. Which type of shock is characterized by decreased cardiac
output despite adequate intravascular volume?
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A. Hypovolemic shock
B. Cardiogenic shock
C. Septic shock
D. Anaphylactic shock
Answer: B
Rationale: Cardiogenic shock is caused by pump failure, leading
to decreased cardiac output despite adequate or increased
intravascular volume.
Q7. Which type of shock is characterized by massive
vasodilation and increased capillary permeability?
A. Cardiogenic shock
B. Hypovolemic shock
C. Septic shock
D. Obstructive shock
Answer: C
Rationale: Septic shock involves massive vasodilation and
increased capillary permeability due to the inflammatory
response to infection.
Q8. A client in anaphylactic shock is prescribed epinephrine.
What is the primary purpose?
A. Increase heart rate
B. Reverse vasodilation and bronchoconstriction
Adult Health Nursing II Exam 4 & Final — Practice Questions with Detailed
Rationales Shock, Multisystem Failure & Renal | 2026–2027 Edition
SECTION 1: TYPES OF SHOCK (CARDIOGENIC, SEPTIC,
ANAPHYLACTIC, HYPOVOLEMIC, NEUROGENIC) — Questions
Q1. A client presents with hypotension, tachycardia, and cool,
clammy skin after a myocardial infarction. Which type of shock
is most likely?
A. Septic shock
B. Cardiogenic shock
C. Anaphylactic shock
D. Neurogenic shock
Answer: B
Rationale: Cardiogenic shock occurs when the heart fails to
pump effectively, leading to decreased cardiac output,
hypotension, and signs of poor perfusion (cool, clammy skin,
tachycardia).
Q2. A client with a severe systemic infection develops fever,
tachycardia, and warm, flushed skin. Which type of shock is
most likely?
, Page |2
A. Cardiogenic shock
B. Hypovolemic shock
C. Septic shock
D. Obstructive shock
Answer: C
Rationale: Septic shock is characterized by warm, flushed skin
early in its course due to vasodilation, along with fever,
tachycardia, and hypotension.
Q3. A client develops hives, wheezing, and hypotension
minutes after receiving penicillin. Which type of shock is most
likely?
A. Septic shock
B. Anaphylactic shock
C. Cardiogenic shock
D. Neurogenic shock
Answer: B
Rationale: Anaphylactic shock is a severe allergic reaction
characterized by hives, wheezing, hypotension, and airway
compromise.
Q4. A client with a spinal cord injury at T4 develops
hypotension and bradycardia. Which type of shock is most
likely?
, Page |3
A. Hypovolemic shock
B. Cardiogenic shock
C. Neurogenic shock
D. Septic shock
Answer: C
Rationale: Neurogenic shock results from loss of sympathetic
tone, causing vasodilation, hypotension, and bradycardia
(unlike other types of shock, which cause tachycardia).
Q5. A client with severe vomiting and diarrhea develops
hypotension and tachycardia. Which type of shock is most
likely?
A. Septic shock
B. Hypovolemic shock
C. Cardiogenic shock
D. Anaphylactic shock
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypovolemic shock results from loss of intravascular
volume, leading to hypotension, tachycardia, and decreased
preload.
Q6. Which type of shock is characterized by decreased cardiac
output despite adequate intravascular volume?
, Page |4
A. Hypovolemic shock
B. Cardiogenic shock
C. Septic shock
D. Anaphylactic shock
Answer: B
Rationale: Cardiogenic shock is caused by pump failure, leading
to decreased cardiac output despite adequate or increased
intravascular volume.
Q7. Which type of shock is characterized by massive
vasodilation and increased capillary permeability?
A. Cardiogenic shock
B. Hypovolemic shock
C. Septic shock
D. Obstructive shock
Answer: C
Rationale: Septic shock involves massive vasodilation and
increased capillary permeability due to the inflammatory
response to infection.
Q8. A client in anaphylactic shock is prescribed epinephrine.
What is the primary purpose?
A. Increase heart rate
B. Reverse vasodilation and bronchoconstriction
