,NUR 2755 Exam 2 | Multidimensional Care IV (2026) Actual Q&A
PDF | Rasmussen College
1. The nurse is caring for a patient in septic shock. Which hemodynamic finding is most
consistent with this type of shock?
A) Decreased cardiac output and elevated systemic vascular resistance (SVR)
B) Elevated cardiac output and decreased systemic vascular resistance (SVR)
C) Elevated cardiac output and elevated SVR
D) Decreased cardiac output and decreased SVR
Correct Answer: Elevated cardiac output and decreased systemic vascular resistance (SVR)
Rationale: Septic shock is a distributive shock characterized by massive vasodilation, leading
to decreased SVR. Initially, cardiac output may be elevated (hyperdynamic state) as the body
attempts to compensate. The classic presentation includes warm, flushed extremities and
bounding pulses.
2. A patient is diagnosed with hypovolemic shock. Which compensatory mechanism is
activated by the sympathetic nervous system?
A) Decreased heart rate and vasodilation
B) Increased heart rate and vasoconstriction
C) Decreased cardiac output and increased capillary permeability
D) Bradycardia and decreased systemic vascular resistance
Correct Answer: Increased heart rate and vasoconstriction
Rationale: In hypovolemic shock, the sympathetic nervous system activates compensatory
mechanisms including tachycardia and peripheral vasoconstriction to maintain blood
pressure and perfusion to vital organs.
3. A patient in the compensatory stage of shock is being monitored. Which assessment
finding would the nurse expect?
,A) Hypotension and bradycardia
B) Tachycardia, pale cool skin, and normal or slightly decreased blood pressure
C) Cyanosis and anuria
D) Bradypnea and bounding pulses
Correct Answer: Tachycardia, pale cool skin, and normal or slightly decreased blood pressure
Rationale: In the compensatory stage of shock, the body attempts to maintain perfusion
through sympathetic nervous system activation. Signs include tachycardia, pale and cool skin
(vasoconstriction), and normal or slightly decreased blood pressure. Urine output may be
maintained.
4. A patient in septic shock has a serum lactate level of 4.5 mmol/L. The nurse interprets this
as:
A) A normal finding indicating adequate perfusion
B) Evidence of anaerobic metabolism and tissue hypoperfusion
C) A sign of liver failure
D) An expected finding in early sepsis
Correct Answer: Evidence of anaerobic metabolism and tissue hypoperfusion
Rationale: Elevated lactate levels (>2 mmol/L) indicate anaerobic metabolism due to tissue
hypoperfusion and are a key marker of septic shock. A lactate level of 4.5 mmol/L is
significantly elevated and indicates poor tissue perfusion.
5. A patient with cardiogenic shock is receiving a vasopressor infusion. Which medication is
most commonly used as a first-line vasopressor in cardiogenic shock?
A) Dobutamine
B) Norepinephrine
C) Epinephrine
D) Vasopressin
, Correct Answer: Norepinephrine
Rationale: Norepinephrine is the first-line vasopressor for cardiogenic shock and other forms
of shock. It causes potent vasoconstriction, increasing systemic vascular resistance and
blood pressure. Dobutamine is an inotrope used for low cardiac output.
6. The nurse is caring for a patient with neurogenic shock. Which mechanism is primarily
responsible for this condition?
A) Massive vasodilation due to loss of sympathetic tone
B) Increased capillary permeability and fluid shifting
C) Decreased cardiac contractility
D) Obstruction of blood flow to the heart
Correct Answer: Massive vasodilation due to loss of sympathetic tone
Rationale: Neurogenic shock results from loss of sympathetic vasomotor tone, typically due
to spinal cord injury above T6. This leads to massive vasodilation, hypotension, and
bradycardia.
7. A patient with anaphylactic shock is being treated. Which medication should the nurse
administer first?
A) Diphenhydramine
B) Epinephrine
C) Methylprednisolone
D) Albuterol
Correct Answer: Epinephrine
Rationale: Epinephrine is the first-line medication for anaphylactic shock. It rapidly reverses
vasodilation, bronchoconstriction, and capillary permeability. Diphenhydramine and
corticosteroids are second-line treatments.
PDF | Rasmussen College
1. The nurse is caring for a patient in septic shock. Which hemodynamic finding is most
consistent with this type of shock?
A) Decreased cardiac output and elevated systemic vascular resistance (SVR)
B) Elevated cardiac output and decreased systemic vascular resistance (SVR)
C) Elevated cardiac output and elevated SVR
D) Decreased cardiac output and decreased SVR
Correct Answer: Elevated cardiac output and decreased systemic vascular resistance (SVR)
Rationale: Septic shock is a distributive shock characterized by massive vasodilation, leading
to decreased SVR. Initially, cardiac output may be elevated (hyperdynamic state) as the body
attempts to compensate. The classic presentation includes warm, flushed extremities and
bounding pulses.
2. A patient is diagnosed with hypovolemic shock. Which compensatory mechanism is
activated by the sympathetic nervous system?
A) Decreased heart rate and vasodilation
B) Increased heart rate and vasoconstriction
C) Decreased cardiac output and increased capillary permeability
D) Bradycardia and decreased systemic vascular resistance
Correct Answer: Increased heart rate and vasoconstriction
Rationale: In hypovolemic shock, the sympathetic nervous system activates compensatory
mechanisms including tachycardia and peripheral vasoconstriction to maintain blood
pressure and perfusion to vital organs.
3. A patient in the compensatory stage of shock is being monitored. Which assessment
finding would the nurse expect?
,A) Hypotension and bradycardia
B) Tachycardia, pale cool skin, and normal or slightly decreased blood pressure
C) Cyanosis and anuria
D) Bradypnea and bounding pulses
Correct Answer: Tachycardia, pale cool skin, and normal or slightly decreased blood pressure
Rationale: In the compensatory stage of shock, the body attempts to maintain perfusion
through sympathetic nervous system activation. Signs include tachycardia, pale and cool skin
(vasoconstriction), and normal or slightly decreased blood pressure. Urine output may be
maintained.
4. A patient in septic shock has a serum lactate level of 4.5 mmol/L. The nurse interprets this
as:
A) A normal finding indicating adequate perfusion
B) Evidence of anaerobic metabolism and tissue hypoperfusion
C) A sign of liver failure
D) An expected finding in early sepsis
Correct Answer: Evidence of anaerobic metabolism and tissue hypoperfusion
Rationale: Elevated lactate levels (>2 mmol/L) indicate anaerobic metabolism due to tissue
hypoperfusion and are a key marker of septic shock. A lactate level of 4.5 mmol/L is
significantly elevated and indicates poor tissue perfusion.
5. A patient with cardiogenic shock is receiving a vasopressor infusion. Which medication is
most commonly used as a first-line vasopressor in cardiogenic shock?
A) Dobutamine
B) Norepinephrine
C) Epinephrine
D) Vasopressin
, Correct Answer: Norepinephrine
Rationale: Norepinephrine is the first-line vasopressor for cardiogenic shock and other forms
of shock. It causes potent vasoconstriction, increasing systemic vascular resistance and
blood pressure. Dobutamine is an inotrope used for low cardiac output.
6. The nurse is caring for a patient with neurogenic shock. Which mechanism is primarily
responsible for this condition?
A) Massive vasodilation due to loss of sympathetic tone
B) Increased capillary permeability and fluid shifting
C) Decreased cardiac contractility
D) Obstruction of blood flow to the heart
Correct Answer: Massive vasodilation due to loss of sympathetic tone
Rationale: Neurogenic shock results from loss of sympathetic vasomotor tone, typically due
to spinal cord injury above T6. This leads to massive vasodilation, hypotension, and
bradycardia.
7. A patient with anaphylactic shock is being treated. Which medication should the nurse
administer first?
A) Diphenhydramine
B) Epinephrine
C) Methylprednisolone
D) Albuterol
Correct Answer: Epinephrine
Rationale: Epinephrine is the first-line medication for anaphylactic shock. It rapidly reverses
vasodilation, bronchoconstriction, and capillary permeability. Diphenhydramine and
corticosteroids are second-line treatments.
