,NU 185 EXAM 3 Medical-Surgical Nursing II Questions And Answers
2026/2027 Galen College
Q1. Which finding is most consistent with hypovolemic shock?
A) Warm flushed skin with bounding pulses
B) Severe fluid loss with hypotension and tachycardia
C) Bradycardia with hypertension
D) Pulmonary edema caused by left ventricular failure
Correct Answer: B) Severe fluid loss with hypotension and tachycardia
Rationale: Hypovolemic shock results from inadequate circulating volume,
commonly producing tachycardia, hypotension, cool skin, and decreased
tissue perfusion.
Q2. Which assessment finding is often an early indicator of
inadequate tissue perfusion during shock?
A) Improved urine output
B) Change in mental status
C) Increased appetite
D) Warm extremities
Correct Answer: B) Change in mental status
Rationale: The brain is highly sensitive to reduced oxygen delivery, so
restlessness, confusion, or a declining level of consciousness may occur early
when perfusion is inadequate.
Q3. Which urine output finding suggests inadequate renal perfusion
in an adult?
A) 80 mL/hr
B) 60 mL/hr
C) 45 mL/hr
D) 20 mL/hr
Correct Answer: D) 20 mL/hr
Rationale: Urine output below approximately 30 mL/hr in an adult may
indicate inadequate renal perfusion and requires evaluation.
Q4. Which type of shock is caused primarily by failure of the heart
to pump effectively?
, A) Hypovolemic shock
B) Cardiogenic shock
C) Neurogenic shock
D) Anaphylactic shock
Correct Answer: B) Cardiogenic shock
Rationale: Cardiogenic shock occurs when impaired cardiac pumping
causes inadequate cardiac output and systemic tissue perfusion.
Q5. Which finding is most consistent with cardiogenic shock?
A) Hypotension with pulmonary congestion
B) Profound fluid loss after hemorrhage
C) Warm dry skin and bradycardia
D) Isolated urticaria
Correct Answer: A) Hypotension with pulmonary congestion
Rationale: Cardiogenic shock reduces forward cardiac output while blood
backs up into the pulmonary circulation, potentially producing crackles,
dyspnea, and pulmonary edema.
Q6. A patient develops shock after a large myocardial infarction.
Which mechanism best explains the patient's condition?
A) Excessive circulating volume
B) Severe impairment of ventricular pumping
C) Peripheral vasodilation from spinal injury
D) Histamine release from an allergen
Correct Answer: B) Severe impairment of ventricular pumping
Rationale: Extensive myocardial damage can reduce ventricular
contractility and cardiac output, resulting in cardiogenic shock.
Q7. Which finding is most characteristic of septic shock?
A) Infection-associated circulatory failure with persistent hypotension
B) Isolated blood loss
C) Mechanical obstruction of the airway only
D) Bradycardia with no infection
Correct Answer: A) Infection-associated circulatory failure with persistent
hypotension
2026/2027 Galen College
Q1. Which finding is most consistent with hypovolemic shock?
A) Warm flushed skin with bounding pulses
B) Severe fluid loss with hypotension and tachycardia
C) Bradycardia with hypertension
D) Pulmonary edema caused by left ventricular failure
Correct Answer: B) Severe fluid loss with hypotension and tachycardia
Rationale: Hypovolemic shock results from inadequate circulating volume,
commonly producing tachycardia, hypotension, cool skin, and decreased
tissue perfusion.
Q2. Which assessment finding is often an early indicator of
inadequate tissue perfusion during shock?
A) Improved urine output
B) Change in mental status
C) Increased appetite
D) Warm extremities
Correct Answer: B) Change in mental status
Rationale: The brain is highly sensitive to reduced oxygen delivery, so
restlessness, confusion, or a declining level of consciousness may occur early
when perfusion is inadequate.
Q3. Which urine output finding suggests inadequate renal perfusion
in an adult?
A) 80 mL/hr
B) 60 mL/hr
C) 45 mL/hr
D) 20 mL/hr
Correct Answer: D) 20 mL/hr
Rationale: Urine output below approximately 30 mL/hr in an adult may
indicate inadequate renal perfusion and requires evaluation.
Q4. Which type of shock is caused primarily by failure of the heart
to pump effectively?
, A) Hypovolemic shock
B) Cardiogenic shock
C) Neurogenic shock
D) Anaphylactic shock
Correct Answer: B) Cardiogenic shock
Rationale: Cardiogenic shock occurs when impaired cardiac pumping
causes inadequate cardiac output and systemic tissue perfusion.
Q5. Which finding is most consistent with cardiogenic shock?
A) Hypotension with pulmonary congestion
B) Profound fluid loss after hemorrhage
C) Warm dry skin and bradycardia
D) Isolated urticaria
Correct Answer: A) Hypotension with pulmonary congestion
Rationale: Cardiogenic shock reduces forward cardiac output while blood
backs up into the pulmonary circulation, potentially producing crackles,
dyspnea, and pulmonary edema.
Q6. A patient develops shock after a large myocardial infarction.
Which mechanism best explains the patient's condition?
A) Excessive circulating volume
B) Severe impairment of ventricular pumping
C) Peripheral vasodilation from spinal injury
D) Histamine release from an allergen
Correct Answer: B) Severe impairment of ventricular pumping
Rationale: Extensive myocardial damage can reduce ventricular
contractility and cardiac output, resulting in cardiogenic shock.
Q7. Which finding is most characteristic of septic shock?
A) Infection-associated circulatory failure with persistent hypotension
B) Isolated blood loss
C) Mechanical obstruction of the airway only
D) Bradycardia with no infection
Correct Answer: A) Infection-associated circulatory failure with persistent
hypotension
