Shock & Resuscitation — General Surgery

Shock & Resuscitation MCQs: practice questions

Sample Shock & Resuscitation multiple-choice questions from General Surgery.

1. Which shock type is classically associated with a low systemic vascular resistance?

   • A. The lethal triad
   • B. Neurogenic shock
   • C. Hypothermia impairs coagulation
   • D. Distributive shock
   • E. Altered mental status

2. Which clinical endpoint is useful when judging response to resuscitation?

   • A. A vasopressor such as norepinephrine
   • B. Marked peripheral vasodilation
   • C. Improving mental status and perfusion
   • D. Control the source of bleeding
   • E. Persistent cellular hypoxia and inflammatory injury

3. A patient with sepsis has hypotension and warm extremities early in the course. Which mechanism is most likely?

   • A. Normal or increased
   • B. Elevated lactate with clinical evidence of hypoperfusion
   • C. Distributive shock
   • D. Marked peripheral vasodilation
   • E. Persistent hypotension with worsening organ dysfunction

4. Why can excessive crystalloid administration worsen severe hemorrhage?

   • A. Tachycardia
   • B. Systemic vasodilation and increased vascular permeability
   • C. It can dilute clotting factors and increase tissue edema
   • D. Improving mental status and perfusion
   • E. Hypothermia impairs coagulation

5. The fundamental hemodynamic problem in hemorrhagic shock is

   • A. Tachycardia
   • B. Hypothermia impairs coagulation
   • C. Reduced preload and cardiac output
   • D. It can dilute clotting factors and increase tissue edema
   • E. Systemic vasodilation and increased vascular permeability

6. Which intervention is most important for septic shock with an infected intra-abdominal source?

7. Massive hemorrhage with coagulopathy, hypothermia, and acidosis is classically associated with

8. What is the best initial approach to a patient with suspected hemorrhagic shock?

9. Which mechanism causes edema in septic shock?

10. A patient in hemorrhagic shock becomes hypothermic during massive transfusion. Why is this dangerous?

11. What is the major goal of resuscitation in shock?

12. Which blood pressure measurement is most directly related to organ perfusion pressure?

13. Why does severe hemorrhage produce metabolic acidosis?

14. What is the immediate priority in a patient with uncontrolled traumatic hemorrhage?

15. Which parameter best reflects global oxygen delivery failure in shock?

16. Which shock state is associated with elevated jugular venous pressure and pulmonary edema?

17. Which type of shock is caused by primary pump failure?

18. Which vascular change is characteristic of compensated hemorrhagic shock?

19. A trauma patient has hypotension, tachycardia, cool skin, and poor capillary refill after major blood loss. What type of shock is most likely?

20. Which crystalloid is commonly used for initial volume resuscitation?

21. In distributive shock, cardiac output may initially be

22. Which compensatory response occurs early in hypovolemic shock?

23. Which bedside finding is especially concerning for occult hypoperfusion?

24. Which finding suggests progression from compensated to decompensated shock?

25. A patient remains hypotensive despite adequate volume after septic shock. Which therapy is typically required?

26. Which finding is most consistent with inadequate tissue perfusion during shock?

27. Which acid-base abnormality commonly accompanies prolonged shock?

28. Which pathophysiologic event ultimately causes multiorgan failure in prolonged shock?

29. A patient develops hypotension after spinal cord injury with warm, dry skin and relative bradycardia. The likely diagnosis is

30. Anaphylaxis causes shock primarily through