EMERGENCY NURSING ORIENTATION 3
CONCEPT REVIEW GUIDE 2026 CRITICAL
CARE DECISION MAKING AND PATIENT
PRIORITIZATION
◉ Which disorder may cause hypovolemic shock?
Answer: Burns
◉ In a pediatric patient, which finding is an early sign of shock?
Answer: Delayed capillary refill
◉ If a patient's pH is less than 7.1, what is the most appropriate
initial treatment?
Answer: Ensure adequate oxygenation and ventilation.
◉ Which statement accurately characterizes shock in a pregnant
patient?
Answer: The risk of fetal distress exists despite maternal stability.
◉ When a patient is in the compensatory stage of shock, the body
preferentially maintains blood flow to which organs?
Answer: Heart and brain
,◉ You are caring for a patient in the emergency department who is
extremely anxious. She is short of breath and slightly nauseated. She
has large red hives all over her body and reports that her skin is
burning and itchy. She is flushed, hypotensive, and tachycardic. What
type of shock should you suspect?
Answer: Anaphylactic shock
◉ Emergency needle thoracentesis is a treatment for which type of
shock?
Answer: Obstructive shock
◉ Which parameter is a resuscitation endpoint for shock?
Answer: Central venous pressure of 10 cm H2O
◉ Which disorder is a cause of cardiogenic shock?
Answer: Dysrhythmias
◉ During times of decreased tissue perfusion, the body shunts blood
away from which organ?
Answer: Kidneys
◉ Why do geriatric patients respond differently to shock than
younger patients?
, Answer: Geriatric patients have decreased physiologic reserves.
◉ Which structure is a collection of specialized neural tissues that
respond to small changes in vascular tone or pressure?
A. Renal tubule
B. Hypothalamus
C. Adrenal medulla
D. Baroreceptors
Answer: D. Baroreceptors
Baroreceptors are a collection of specialized neural tissues in the
aortic arch and bifurcation of the common carotid arteries that
sense decreased cardiac output and trigger sympathetic stimulation
and peripheral vasoconstriction to try to increase circulating volume
and maintain blood pressure. The hypothalamus secretes a
corticotropin-releasing hormone, which stimulates the pituitary to
release the adrenocorticotropic hormone. This causes the adrenal
glands to release cortisol, which elevates the blood glucose level,
causes renal retention of water and sodium, and suppresses the
immune system. The adrenal medulla releases catecholamines
(epinephrine and norepinephrine) when stimulated by the
sympathetic nervous system in response to hypoperfusion.
Aldosterone and antidiuretic hormones promote sodium
reabsorption in the renal tubules to try to increase circulating
volume and cardiac output.
CONCEPT REVIEW GUIDE 2026 CRITICAL
CARE DECISION MAKING AND PATIENT
PRIORITIZATION
◉ Which disorder may cause hypovolemic shock?
Answer: Burns
◉ In a pediatric patient, which finding is an early sign of shock?
Answer: Delayed capillary refill
◉ If a patient's pH is less than 7.1, what is the most appropriate
initial treatment?
Answer: Ensure adequate oxygenation and ventilation.
◉ Which statement accurately characterizes shock in a pregnant
patient?
Answer: The risk of fetal distress exists despite maternal stability.
◉ When a patient is in the compensatory stage of shock, the body
preferentially maintains blood flow to which organs?
Answer: Heart and brain
,◉ You are caring for a patient in the emergency department who is
extremely anxious. She is short of breath and slightly nauseated. She
has large red hives all over her body and reports that her skin is
burning and itchy. She is flushed, hypotensive, and tachycardic. What
type of shock should you suspect?
Answer: Anaphylactic shock
◉ Emergency needle thoracentesis is a treatment for which type of
shock?
Answer: Obstructive shock
◉ Which parameter is a resuscitation endpoint for shock?
Answer: Central venous pressure of 10 cm H2O
◉ Which disorder is a cause of cardiogenic shock?
Answer: Dysrhythmias
◉ During times of decreased tissue perfusion, the body shunts blood
away from which organ?
Answer: Kidneys
◉ Why do geriatric patients respond differently to shock than
younger patients?
, Answer: Geriatric patients have decreased physiologic reserves.
◉ Which structure is a collection of specialized neural tissues that
respond to small changes in vascular tone or pressure?
A. Renal tubule
B. Hypothalamus
C. Adrenal medulla
D. Baroreceptors
Answer: D. Baroreceptors
Baroreceptors are a collection of specialized neural tissues in the
aortic arch and bifurcation of the common carotid arteries that
sense decreased cardiac output and trigger sympathetic stimulation
and peripheral vasoconstriction to try to increase circulating volume
and maintain blood pressure. The hypothalamus secretes a
corticotropin-releasing hormone, which stimulates the pituitary to
release the adrenocorticotropic hormone. This causes the adrenal
glands to release cortisol, which elevates the blood glucose level,
causes renal retention of water and sodium, and suppresses the
immune system. The adrenal medulla releases catecholamines
(epinephrine and norepinephrine) when stimulated by the
sympathetic nervous system in response to hypoperfusion.
Aldosterone and antidiuretic hormones promote sodium
reabsorption in the renal tubules to try to increase circulating
volume and cardiac output.
