NCLEX FOR SHOCK - CRITICAL CARE QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS LATEST VERSION 2024 VERIFIED
GRADED A+
A pa�ent being treated for cardiogenic shock is being hemodynamically monitored. Which findings are
consistent with the pa�ent's diagnosis?
Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. Elevated pulmonary arterial wedge pressure
2. Elevated central venous pressure
3. Elevated systemic vascular resistance index
4. Elevated mean arterial pressure
5. Elevated stroke volume - ansCorrect Answer: 1,2,3
Ra�onale 1: This finding is consistent with pulmonary vascular conges�on.
Ra�onale 2: This finding is consistent with fluid volume overload.
Ra�onale 3: This finding is consistent with pulmonary vascular conges�on.
Ra�onale 4: This finding is not consistent with cardiogenic shock.
Ra�onale 5: This finding is not consistent with cardiogenic shock.
A pa�ent is being treated for pericardi�s. The nurse will plan interven�ons to prevent the onset of which
type of shock?
1. Obstruc�ve
2. Hypovolemic
3. Distribu�ve
4. Cardiogenic - ansCorrect Answer: 1
Ra�onale 1: Acute pericardi�s and the development of fluid accumula�on in the pericardial space can
lead to the development of obstruc�ve shock.
Ra�onale 2: Pericardi�s is not a risk factor for the development of hypovolemic shock.
Ra�onale 3: Pericardi�s is not a risk factor for the development of distribu�ve shock.
Ra�onale 4: Pericardi�s is not a risk factor for the development of cardiogenic shock.
,NCLEX FOR SHOCK - CRITICAL CARE QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS LATEST VERSION 2024 VERIFIED
GRADED A+
A pa�ent is brought to the emergency department with hypotension, tachycardia, reduced capillary
refill, and oliguria. During the assessment, the nurse determines the pa�ent is experiencing cardiogenic
shock because of which addi�onal finding?
1. Jugular vein disten�on
2. Dry mucous membranes
3. Poor skin turgor
4. Thirst - ansCorrect Answer: 1
Ra�onale 1: Jugular vein disten�on is a manifesta�on of cardiogenic shock.
Ra�onale 2: The mucous membranes are not dry in cardiogenic shock.
Ra�onale 3: The skin turgor is not poor in cardiogenic shock.
Ra�onale 4: Thirst is not a manifesta�on of cardiogenic shock.
A pa�ent is brought to the emergency department with manifesta�ons of anaphylac�c shock. What will
the nurse assess as possible causes for this disorder?
Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. Recent bee s�ng
2. Inges�on of drugs
3. History of latex allergy
4. Recent diagnos�c imaging tests
5. Recent myocardial infarc�on - ansCorrect Answer: 1,2,3,4
Ra�onale 1: Venoms such as bee s�ngs can trigger anaphylac�c shock.
Ra�onale 2: Drugs can trigger anaphylac�c shock.
Ra�onale 3: Latex can trigger anaphylac�c shock.
Ra�onale 4: Contrast media for diagnos�c tests can trigger anaphylac�c shock.
Ra�onale 5: Myocardial infarc�on is not a trigger for anaphylac�c shock.
, NCLEX FOR SHOCK - CRITICAL CARE QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS LATEST VERSION 2024 VERIFIED
GRADED A+
A pa�ent is demonstra�ng pulmonary edema, hypotension, and delayed capillary refill. The nurse
suspects the pa�ent is experiencing which type of shock?
1. Hypovolemic
2. Cardiogenic
3. Anaphylac�c
4. Obstruc�ve - ansCorrect Answer: 2
Ra�onale 1: Pulmonary edema would not be present in hypovolemic shock.
Ra�onale 2: In cardiogenic shock, there is a low cardiac output, hypotension, and pulmonary edema.
Ra�onale 3: Pulmonary edema would not be present in anaphylac�c shock.
Ra�onale 4: Pulmonary edema would not be present in obstruc�ve shock
A pa�ent is demonstra�ng signs of obstruc�ve shock but the cause has yet to be determined. Which
finding indicates the pa�ent is experiencing a pulmonary embolism as the cause for obstruc�ve shock?
1. Chest pain
2. Hypotension
3. Tachycardia
4. Oliguria - ansCorrect Answer: 1
Ra�onale 1: Chest pain is a symptom associated with a massive pulmonary embolus.
Ra�onale 2: Hypotension is seen in other causes of obstruc�ve shock and is not a symptom that
differen�ates the cause as being from a pulmonary embolus.
Ra�onale 3: Tachycardia is seen in other causes of obstruc�ve shock and is not a symptom that
differen�ates the cause as being from a pulmonary embolus.
Ra�onale 4: Oliguria is seen in other causes of obstruc�ve shock and is not a symptom that differen�ates
the cause as being from a pulmonary embolus.
A pa�ent is diagnosed with cardiac tamponade. When planning care, the nurse will include interven�ons
to address which type of shock?
1. Obstruc�ve
2. Hypovolemic
AND ANSWERS LATEST VERSION 2024 VERIFIED
GRADED A+
A pa�ent being treated for cardiogenic shock is being hemodynamically monitored. Which findings are
consistent with the pa�ent's diagnosis?
Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. Elevated pulmonary arterial wedge pressure
2. Elevated central venous pressure
3. Elevated systemic vascular resistance index
4. Elevated mean arterial pressure
5. Elevated stroke volume - ansCorrect Answer: 1,2,3
Ra�onale 1: This finding is consistent with pulmonary vascular conges�on.
Ra�onale 2: This finding is consistent with fluid volume overload.
Ra�onale 3: This finding is consistent with pulmonary vascular conges�on.
Ra�onale 4: This finding is not consistent with cardiogenic shock.
Ra�onale 5: This finding is not consistent with cardiogenic shock.
A pa�ent is being treated for pericardi�s. The nurse will plan interven�ons to prevent the onset of which
type of shock?
1. Obstruc�ve
2. Hypovolemic
3. Distribu�ve
4. Cardiogenic - ansCorrect Answer: 1
Ra�onale 1: Acute pericardi�s and the development of fluid accumula�on in the pericardial space can
lead to the development of obstruc�ve shock.
Ra�onale 2: Pericardi�s is not a risk factor for the development of hypovolemic shock.
Ra�onale 3: Pericardi�s is not a risk factor for the development of distribu�ve shock.
Ra�onale 4: Pericardi�s is not a risk factor for the development of cardiogenic shock.
,NCLEX FOR SHOCK - CRITICAL CARE QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS LATEST VERSION 2024 VERIFIED
GRADED A+
A pa�ent is brought to the emergency department with hypotension, tachycardia, reduced capillary
refill, and oliguria. During the assessment, the nurse determines the pa�ent is experiencing cardiogenic
shock because of which addi�onal finding?
1. Jugular vein disten�on
2. Dry mucous membranes
3. Poor skin turgor
4. Thirst - ansCorrect Answer: 1
Ra�onale 1: Jugular vein disten�on is a manifesta�on of cardiogenic shock.
Ra�onale 2: The mucous membranes are not dry in cardiogenic shock.
Ra�onale 3: The skin turgor is not poor in cardiogenic shock.
Ra�onale 4: Thirst is not a manifesta�on of cardiogenic shock.
A pa�ent is brought to the emergency department with manifesta�ons of anaphylac�c shock. What will
the nurse assess as possible causes for this disorder?
Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. Recent bee s�ng
2. Inges�on of drugs
3. History of latex allergy
4. Recent diagnos�c imaging tests
5. Recent myocardial infarc�on - ansCorrect Answer: 1,2,3,4
Ra�onale 1: Venoms such as bee s�ngs can trigger anaphylac�c shock.
Ra�onale 2: Drugs can trigger anaphylac�c shock.
Ra�onale 3: Latex can trigger anaphylac�c shock.
Ra�onale 4: Contrast media for diagnos�c tests can trigger anaphylac�c shock.
Ra�onale 5: Myocardial infarc�on is not a trigger for anaphylac�c shock.
, NCLEX FOR SHOCK - CRITICAL CARE QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS LATEST VERSION 2024 VERIFIED
GRADED A+
A pa�ent is demonstra�ng pulmonary edema, hypotension, and delayed capillary refill. The nurse
suspects the pa�ent is experiencing which type of shock?
1. Hypovolemic
2. Cardiogenic
3. Anaphylac�c
4. Obstruc�ve - ansCorrect Answer: 2
Ra�onale 1: Pulmonary edema would not be present in hypovolemic shock.
Ra�onale 2: In cardiogenic shock, there is a low cardiac output, hypotension, and pulmonary edema.
Ra�onale 3: Pulmonary edema would not be present in anaphylac�c shock.
Ra�onale 4: Pulmonary edema would not be present in obstruc�ve shock
A pa�ent is demonstra�ng signs of obstruc�ve shock but the cause has yet to be determined. Which
finding indicates the pa�ent is experiencing a pulmonary embolism as the cause for obstruc�ve shock?
1. Chest pain
2. Hypotension
3. Tachycardia
4. Oliguria - ansCorrect Answer: 1
Ra�onale 1: Chest pain is a symptom associated with a massive pulmonary embolus.
Ra�onale 2: Hypotension is seen in other causes of obstruc�ve shock and is not a symptom that
differen�ates the cause as being from a pulmonary embolus.
Ra�onale 3: Tachycardia is seen in other causes of obstruc�ve shock and is not a symptom that
differen�ates the cause as being from a pulmonary embolus.
Ra�onale 4: Oliguria is seen in other causes of obstruc�ve shock and is not a symptom that differen�ates
the cause as being from a pulmonary embolus.
A pa�ent is diagnosed with cardiac tamponade. When planning care, the nurse will include interven�ons
to address which type of shock?
1. Obstruc�ve
2. Hypovolemic
