Critical care: types of shock: practice question

A Anaesthesia 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

Anaesthesia · Critical care: types of shock

Sample item

In a patient with early septic (distributive) shock, which haemodynamic profile is expected before fluid resuscitation is complete?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Low systemic vascular resistance with a normal or high cardiac output

Septic shock causes vasodilatation, so systemic vascular resistance is low, and cardiac output is initially high (warm shock), although later myocardial depression may lower it. Cardiogenic shock shows low output with high resistance and high filling pressures. Hypovolaemic shock shows low output, low filling pressures and high resistance.

Option by option

  • A. Low systemic vascular resistance with a normal or high cardiac output (correct)

    Correct. Vasodilatation with a hyperdynamic circulation is characteristic of early sepsis.

  • B. Low cardiac output with a low central venous pressure and high resistance

    This describes hypovolaemic shock.

  • C. High central venous pressure with a low cardiac output and high wedge pressure

    This describes cardiogenic shock with raised filling pressures.

  • D. High systemic vascular resistance with a low cardiac output

    This is the pattern in cardiogenic or hypovolaemic shock.

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 Anaesthesia questions

Questions about this Anaesthesia question

What is the answer to this Anaesthesia question?

The best answer is A, Low systemic vascular resistance with a normal or high cardiac output. Septic shock causes vasodilatation, so systemic vascular resistance is low, and cardiac output is initially high (warm shock), although later myocardial depression may lower it.

Why is "Low cardiac output with a low central venous pressure and high resist…" not the answer?

This describes hypovolaemic shock.

Why is "High central venous pressure with a low cardiac output and high wedge…" not the answer?

This describes cardiogenic shock with raised filling pressures.

Why is "High systemic vascular resistance with a low cardiac output" not the answer?

This is the pattern in cardiogenic or hypovolaemic shock.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Critical care: types of shock in Anaesthesia. Cardiogenic shock shows low output with high resistance and high filling pressures. Hypovolaemic shock shows low output, low filling pressures and high resistance.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. 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 Critical care: types of shock?

Make a table of each agent, its key advantage and its main side effect. Then use the flashcards and the other Anaesthesia 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.