Shock: markers of resuscitation: practice question

A General Surgery 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

General Surgery · Shock: markers of resuscitation

Sample item

In a trauma patient who has stable vital signs after initial resuscitation, which laboratory parameter best identifies ongoing occult hypoperfusion?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Serum lactate or base deficit

Elevated lactate and base deficit reflect anaerobic metabolism from tissue hypoperfusion and can be abnormal despite normal vital signs. Serial measurements show the response to resuscitation, and failure to clear lactate predicts poor outcome. Sodium and platelets do not indicate perfusion.

Option by option

  • A. Platelet count

    Platelet count is not a perfusion marker.

  • B. Blood urea alone

    Urea is a poor and delayed indicator.

  • C. Serum lactate or base deficit (correct)

    Correct. Lactate and base deficit track tissue perfusion.

  • D. Serum sodium

    Sodium does not reflect perfusion.

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 General Surgery questions

Questions about this General Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is C, Serum lactate or base deficit. Elevated lactate and base deficit reflect anaerobic metabolism from tissue hypoperfusion and can be abnormal despite normal vital signs.

Why is "Platelet count" not the answer?

Platelet count is not a perfusion marker.

Why is "Blood urea alone" not the answer?

Urea is a poor and delayed indicator.

Why is "Serum sodium" not the answer?

Sodium does not reflect perfusion.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Shock: markers of resuscitation in General Surgery. Serial measurements show the response to resuscitation, and failure to clear lactate predicts poor outcome. Sodium and platelets do not indicate perfusion.

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 Shock: markers of resuscitation?

Learn classic signs and eponyms alongside what they diagnose. Then use the flashcards and the other General Surgery 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.