NURS 5315 Shock Exam Questions
with 100% Correct Answers
What cardiac rhythm is commonly seen in irreversible shock?
A. Sinus tachycardia
B. Atrial fibrillation
C. Pulseless electrical activity (PEA)
D. Normal sinus rhythm - Answer-C. Pulseless electrical activity (PEA)
Rationale: As cardiac function deteriorates, electrical activity may continue without
effective cardiac contraction.
Which of the following is a hallmark sign of irreversible shock?
A. Anuria
B. Bounding pulses
C. Normal mental status
D. Hypertension - Answer-A. Anuria
Rationale: Anuria indicates complete renal failure due to sustained hypoperfusion.
What is the primary cause of cardiogenic shock?
A. Blood loss
B. Myocardial infarction
C. Severe infection
D. Spinal cord injury - Answer-B. Myocardial infarction
Rationale: Cardiogenic shock is commonly caused by myocardial infarction, leading to
reduced cardiac output.
Which type of shock results from widespread vasodilation?
A. Cardiogenic shock
B. Hypovolemic shock
C. Distributive shock
D. Obstructive shock - Answer-C. Distributive shock
Rationale: Distributive shock (e.g., septic, neurogenic) involves systemic vasodilation
and reduced systemic vascular resistance.
What hormone is released by the posterior pituitary gland in response to hypovolemia to
promote water retention?
,A) Aldosterone
B) Epinephrine
C) Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
D) Cortisol - Answer-C) Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Rationale: ADH increases water reabsorption in the kidneys to help maintain blood
volume and pressure.
Which of the following clinical signs is most indicative of decompensated shock?
A) Normal blood pressure with tachycardia
B) Decreased urine output with cool, clammy skin
C) Warm, flushed skin with bounding pulses
D) Bradycardia and hypertension - Answer-B) Decreased urine output with cool,
clammy skin
Rationale: As compensatory mechanisms fail, hypotension, decreased urine output, and
cold, clammy skin indicate worsening shock.
What metabolic disturbance is commonly seen in decompensated shock due to tissue
hypoxia?
A) Metabolic alkalosis
B) Respiratory alkalosis
C) Metabolic acidosis
D) Respiratory acidosis - Answer-C) Metabolic acidosis
Rationale: Inadequate perfusion leads to anaerobic metabolism and lactic acid buildup,
causing metabolic acidosis.
Which of the following conditions is a common cause of cardiogenic shock?
A) Pulmonary embolism
B) Myocardial infarction
C) Severe dehydration
D) Spinal cord injury - Answer-B) Myocardial infarction
Rationale: Myocardial infarction leads to decreased myocardial contractility, reducing
cardiac output.
A patient with cardiogenic shock is most likely to exhibit which hemodynamic
parameter?
A) Increased preload with decreased cardiac output
B) Increased cardiac output with decreased preload
C) Low systemic vascular resistance (SVR)
D) Increased urine output - Answer-A) Increased preload with decreased cardiac output
, Rationale: In cardiogenic shock, decreased myocardial contractility leads to increased
preload and reduced cardiac output.
Why is excessive fluid administration avoided in cardiogenic shock?
A) It decreases systemic vascular resistance
B) It can worsen pulmonary edema
C) It causes metabolic alkalosis
D) It leads to severe hypertension - Answer-B) It can worsen pulmonary edema
Rationale: Excess fluids can increase preload and exacerbate pulmonary congestion.
Which of the following is the most common cause of anaphylactic shock?
A. Peanuts
B. Cold exposure
C. Emotional stress
D. Hypoglycemia - Answer-A. Peanuts
Rationale: Peanuts are one of the most common allergens that trigger anaphylactic
shock. Other common triggers include shellfish, insect stings, and medications.
An anaphylactoid reaction differs from an anaphylactic reaction in that it:
A. Is mediated by IgE antibodies
B. Does not involve IgE antibodies
C. Only occurs with drug allergens
D. Is always less severe - Answer-B. Does not involve IgE antibodies
Rationale: An anaphylactoid reaction mimics anaphylaxis but occurs without the
involvement of IgE antibodies, often triggered by factors like medications and exercise.
In anaphylactic shock, which immune cells primarily release histamine and other
inflammatory mediators?
A. Neutrophils and macrophages
B. Mast cells and basophils
C. B cells and T cells
D. Eosinophils and dendritic cells - Answer-B. Mast cells and basophils
Rationale: Mast cells and basophils degranulate upon allergen exposure, releasing
histamine and other mediators that cause vasodilation, increased capillary permeability,
and bronchoconstriction.
What is the main function of histamine in an anaphylactic reaction?
A. Increased heart rate
B. Vasodilation and increased capillary permeability
C. Decreased mucus secretion
D. Directly killing pathogens - Answer-B. Vasodilation and increased capillary
permeability
with 100% Correct Answers
What cardiac rhythm is commonly seen in irreversible shock?
A. Sinus tachycardia
B. Atrial fibrillation
C. Pulseless electrical activity (PEA)
D. Normal sinus rhythm - Answer-C. Pulseless electrical activity (PEA)
Rationale: As cardiac function deteriorates, electrical activity may continue without
effective cardiac contraction.
Which of the following is a hallmark sign of irreversible shock?
A. Anuria
B. Bounding pulses
C. Normal mental status
D. Hypertension - Answer-A. Anuria
Rationale: Anuria indicates complete renal failure due to sustained hypoperfusion.
What is the primary cause of cardiogenic shock?
A. Blood loss
B. Myocardial infarction
C. Severe infection
D. Spinal cord injury - Answer-B. Myocardial infarction
Rationale: Cardiogenic shock is commonly caused by myocardial infarction, leading to
reduced cardiac output.
Which type of shock results from widespread vasodilation?
A. Cardiogenic shock
B. Hypovolemic shock
C. Distributive shock
D. Obstructive shock - Answer-C. Distributive shock
Rationale: Distributive shock (e.g., septic, neurogenic) involves systemic vasodilation
and reduced systemic vascular resistance.
What hormone is released by the posterior pituitary gland in response to hypovolemia to
promote water retention?
,A) Aldosterone
B) Epinephrine
C) Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
D) Cortisol - Answer-C) Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Rationale: ADH increases water reabsorption in the kidneys to help maintain blood
volume and pressure.
Which of the following clinical signs is most indicative of decompensated shock?
A) Normal blood pressure with tachycardia
B) Decreased urine output with cool, clammy skin
C) Warm, flushed skin with bounding pulses
D) Bradycardia and hypertension - Answer-B) Decreased urine output with cool,
clammy skin
Rationale: As compensatory mechanisms fail, hypotension, decreased urine output, and
cold, clammy skin indicate worsening shock.
What metabolic disturbance is commonly seen in decompensated shock due to tissue
hypoxia?
A) Metabolic alkalosis
B) Respiratory alkalosis
C) Metabolic acidosis
D) Respiratory acidosis - Answer-C) Metabolic acidosis
Rationale: Inadequate perfusion leads to anaerobic metabolism and lactic acid buildup,
causing metabolic acidosis.
Which of the following conditions is a common cause of cardiogenic shock?
A) Pulmonary embolism
B) Myocardial infarction
C) Severe dehydration
D) Spinal cord injury - Answer-B) Myocardial infarction
Rationale: Myocardial infarction leads to decreased myocardial contractility, reducing
cardiac output.
A patient with cardiogenic shock is most likely to exhibit which hemodynamic
parameter?
A) Increased preload with decreased cardiac output
B) Increased cardiac output with decreased preload
C) Low systemic vascular resistance (SVR)
D) Increased urine output - Answer-A) Increased preload with decreased cardiac output
, Rationale: In cardiogenic shock, decreased myocardial contractility leads to increased
preload and reduced cardiac output.
Why is excessive fluid administration avoided in cardiogenic shock?
A) It decreases systemic vascular resistance
B) It can worsen pulmonary edema
C) It causes metabolic alkalosis
D) It leads to severe hypertension - Answer-B) It can worsen pulmonary edema
Rationale: Excess fluids can increase preload and exacerbate pulmonary congestion.
Which of the following is the most common cause of anaphylactic shock?
A. Peanuts
B. Cold exposure
C. Emotional stress
D. Hypoglycemia - Answer-A. Peanuts
Rationale: Peanuts are one of the most common allergens that trigger anaphylactic
shock. Other common triggers include shellfish, insect stings, and medications.
An anaphylactoid reaction differs from an anaphylactic reaction in that it:
A. Is mediated by IgE antibodies
B. Does not involve IgE antibodies
C. Only occurs with drug allergens
D. Is always less severe - Answer-B. Does not involve IgE antibodies
Rationale: An anaphylactoid reaction mimics anaphylaxis but occurs without the
involvement of IgE antibodies, often triggered by factors like medications and exercise.
In anaphylactic shock, which immune cells primarily release histamine and other
inflammatory mediators?
A. Neutrophils and macrophages
B. Mast cells and basophils
C. B cells and T cells
D. Eosinophils and dendritic cells - Answer-B. Mast cells and basophils
Rationale: Mast cells and basophils degranulate upon allergen exposure, releasing
histamine and other mediators that cause vasodilation, increased capillary permeability,
and bronchoconstriction.
What is the main function of histamine in an anaphylactic reaction?
A. Increased heart rate
B. Vasodilation and increased capillary permeability
C. Decreased mucus secretion
D. Directly killing pathogens - Answer-B. Vasodilation and increased capillary
permeability
