True or false: A patient with suspected infection, new confusion, and signs of poor perfusion may need urgent assessment for sepsis even if the patient has no fever.
1 Shock Recognition and Initial Assessment Online Quiz Questions
Use this free practice quiz with 20 questions to review 1 Shock Recognition and Initial Assessment, test your knowledge, and prepare for your next test or exam.
In the ABCDE approach to focused assessment, D stands for .
What broad shock category involves blood vessels dilating and distributing blood abnormally?
A patient with several days of vomiting is restless and thirsty. Heart rate is 122/min, respiratory rate is 26/min, blood pressure is 108/72 mm Hg, hands are cool, and capillary refill is delayed. What is the best interpretation?
- A
Shock is unlikely because the systolic blood pressure is above 90 mm Hg.
- B
The findings suggest impaired perfusion, possibly early hypovolemic shock.
- C
The findings establish cardiogenic shock.
- D
The findings are normal compensation and need no follow-up.
During the Exposure step of a focused assessment for possible shock, which actions are appropriate? Select all that apply.
- A
Look for bleeding.
- B
Look for a rash or hives.
- C
Look for possible infection sources.
- D
Prevent heat loss.
- E
Wait for a laboratory result before inspecting the patient.
Minutes after receiving a medication, a patient develops hives, wheezing, facial swelling, and hypotension. Which finding best supports anaphylactic distributive shock?
- A
Hives and wheezing accompanying sudden hypotension
- B
Crackles following a suspected heart attack
- C
A history of fluid loss with cool, clammy skin
- D
New one-sided absent breath sounds after chest trauma
True or false: Skin temperature in septic shock can change over time, with skin sometimes warm early and cool later.
- A
True
- B
False
A rising can support concern for tissue hypoperfusion, but no single laboratory result identifies shock on its own.
A patient with chest pressure becomes hypotensive and confused. The patient is short of breath, has crackles, and has cool extremities. Which shock type is most concerning?
- A
Hypovolemic
- B
Cardiogenic
- C
Anaphylactic
- D
Neurogenic
What shock subtype is distributive shock caused by infection and a dysregulated response?
Which conditions can cause obstructive shock by mechanically interfering with heart filling or blood flow? Select all that apply.
- A
Tension pneumothorax
- B
Cardiac tamponade
- C
A large pulmonary embolism
- D
Vomiting with dehydration
- E
Anaphylaxis
After a serious injury, a patient is pale, sweaty, confused, tachycardic, and hypotensive. What should the team prioritize?
- A
Rapidly identify and control bleeding while supporting ABCs and activating emergency trauma care.
- B
Give oral fluids and reassess in an hour.
- C
Assume the patient has septic shock.
- D
Delay treatment until laboratory results confirm blood loss.
A patient is being assessed for possible shock, but the findings are mixed and no single test or sign is conclusive. Explain how to organize the focused assessment and how to interpret the findings while care is underway.
True or false: An elevated lactate by itself proves that a patient is in shock.
- A
True
- B
False
What acronym names the focused assessment sequence recommended during initial shock assessment?
Which bedside output should be monitored as a trend for worsening perfusion in a patient at risk of shock?
A patient with several days of vomiting is restless and thirsty, with a heart rate of 122/min, cool hands, delayed capillary refill, and a blood pressure of 108/72 mm Hg. What is the best interpretation?
- A
Shock is unlikely because the systolic pressure is above 90 mm Hg.
- B
The findings suggest impaired perfusion, possibly early hypovolemic shock.
- C
The findings establish cardiogenic shock.
- D
The findings are normal compensation and need no follow-up.
A patient with chest pressure becomes hypotensive and confused, is short of breath, has crackles, and has cool extremities. Which shock type is most concerning?
- A
Hypovolemic shock
- B
Cardiogenic shock
- C
Anaphylactic shock
- D
Neurogenic shock
Minutes after receiving a medication, a patient develops hives, wheezing, facial swelling, and hypotension. Which finding pattern best supports anaphylactic distributive shock?
- A
Hives and wheezing accompanying sudden hypotension
- B
Crackles following a suspected heart attack
- C
A history of fluid loss with cool, clammy skin
- D
New one-sided absent breath sounds after chest trauma
A patient suddenly becomes severely short of breath and hypotensive after chest trauma. Breath sounds are markedly reduced on one side. Which shock category best fits, and what is the priority?
- A
Obstructive shock; urgently identify and treat the suspected mechanical cause under emergency protocols.
- B
Cardiogenic shock; give a large fluid bolus before further assessment.
- C
Septic shock; wait for a fever to develop.
- D
Hypovolemic shock; the lung findings are unrelated.
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