Obstetric emergencies: shock index: practice question

A OBG question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

Try it

OBG · Obstetric emergencies: shock index

Sample item

A woman 30 minutes after delivery has a pulse of 118 beats per minute and a blood pressure of 100/60 mmHg with ongoing bleeding of an uncertain quantity. What is her shock index and its significance?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Approximately 1.2, indicating significant hypovolaemia needing urgent resuscitation

The obstetric shock index is heart rate divided by systolic blood pressure, 118 divided by 100 here, giving about 1.2. Values above 0.9 to 1.0 are associated with significant haemorrhage and need for transfusion, whereas the normal range in pregnancy is about 0.7 to 0.9 and lower values are reassuring. It is a simple bedside tool that detects hypovolaemia earlier than blood pressure alone.

Option by option

  • A. Approximately 0.8, which excludes shock

    A shock index of 0.8 is not the value calculated, and anything above 0.9 is concerning.

  • B. Shock index cannot be calculated in pregnancy

    The index is validated for obstetric use.

  • C. Approximately 1.2, indicating significant hypovolaemia needing urgent resuscitation (correct)

    Correct. A shock index of 1.2 suggests major blood loss and demands resuscitation.

  • D. Approximately 0.6, which is normal

    0.6 would be a normal value, not what is calculated here.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More OBG questions

Questions about this OBG question

What is the answer to this OBG question?

The best answer is C, Approximately 1.2, indicating significant hypovolaemia needing urgent resuscitation. The obstetric shock index is heart rate divided by systolic blood pressure, 118 divided by 100 here, giving about 1.

Why is "Approximately 0.8, which excludes shock" not the answer?

A shock index of 0.8 is not the value calculated, and anything above 0.9 is concerning.

Why is "Shock index cannot be calculated in pregnancy" not the answer?

The index is validated for obstetric use.

Why is "Approximately 0.6, which is normal" not the answer?

0.6 would be a normal value, not what is calculated here.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Obstetric emergencies: shock index in OBG. 2. Values above 0.9 to 1.0 are associated with significant haemorrhage and need for transfusion, whereas the normal range in pregnancy is about 0.7 to 0.9 and lower values are reassuring. It is a simple bedside tool that detects hypovolaemia earlier than blood pressure alone.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Obstetric emergencies: shock index?

Learn management algorithms as steps: PPH, eclampsia, ectopic pregnancy. Then use the flashcards and the other OBG questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.