Shock and Resuscitation — MCQs

10 questions

False about neurogenic shock

Haemorrhagic shock due to acute blood loss includes: 1. Increasing pallor 2. Restlessness 3. Air hunger 4. Water-hammer pulse

Best guide for the management of Resuscitation is:

A patient is in shock with gross comminuted fracture. The first step in management is to give

A patient is brought to the emergency following a head-on collision road traffic accident. His BP is 90/60 mmHg. Tachycardia is present. Most likely diagnosis is

A patient in shock comes to you in the trauma ward. You examine him and decide not to give him vasoconstrictors. Which type of shock is your patient having?

What is the preferred fluid in a poly-traumatic patient with shock?

In adults, circulatory collapse occurs after what percent of burns of total body surface area?

For resuscitation in burn shock, the following fluid is advised

Q10

Estimate volume of Ringer lactate in first 8 hours for a 50 kg male with 40% TBSA second-degree burns?

Shock and Resuscitation Indian Medical PG Practice Questions and MCQs

Question 1: False about neurogenic shock

A. Raised JVP (Correct Answer)
B. Decreased cardiac output
C. Bradycardia
D. Hypotension

Explanation: ***Raised JVP*** - In neurogenic shock, **venous capacitance increases** due to loss of sympathetic tone, leading to **venous pooling in the periphery** and a **decreased central venous pressure** and JVP, not a raised JVP. - A raised JVP usually indicates **fluid overload** or **right heart failure**, which are not primary features of neurogenic shock. *Decreased cardiac output* - The **loss of sympathetic tone** in neurogenic shock leads to widespread vasodilation, which **decreases venous return** and subsequently **reduces preload** [1]. - A decrease in preload directly results in a **reduced stroke volume** and thus a **decreased cardiac output**. *Bradycardia* - Neurogenic shock often results from high spinal cord injury, which **disrupts sympathetic innervation** to the heart while leaving **parasympathetic innervation intact**. - This imbalance causes unopposed vagal activity, leading to **bradycardia** [1]. *Hypotension* - The primary mechanism of hypotension in neurogenic shock is **widespread peripheral vasodilation** due to the loss of **sympathetic vasomotor tone**. - This vasodilation leads to a **significant drop in systemic vascular resistance (SVR)**, causing severe hypotension [1].

Question 2: Haemorrhagic shock due to acute blood loss includes: 1. Increasing pallor 2. Restlessness 3. Air hunger 4. Water-hammer pulse

A. 1 & 2
B. 1, 2 & 3 (Correct Answer)
C. 2, 3 & 4
D. 1 & 4

Explanation: ***1, 2 & 3*** - **Increasing pallor** occurs due to reduced blood flow to the skin as the body shunts blood to vital organs in response to hypovolemia. - **Restlessness** and **air hunger** are signs of cerebral hypoxia and metabolic acidosis, respectively, as the circulatory system fails to deliver sufficient oxygen to tissues and clear CO2. *1 & 2* - This option is partially correct as **increasing pallor** and **restlessness** are indeed seen in hemorrhagic shock. - However, it incorrectly excludes **air hunger**, which is a significant clinical sign of severe hemorrhage and ensuing metabolic acidosis. *2, 3 & 4* - This option correctly identifies **restlessness** and **air hunger** as features of hemorrhagic shock. - However, **water-hammer pulse** is characteristic of conditions leading to a wide pulse pressure, such as aortic regurgitation, not the narrow pulse pressure seen in hypovolemic shock [1]. *1 & 4* - This option correctly identifies **increasing pallor** as a feature of hemorrhagic shock. - It incorrectly includes **water-hammer pulse**, which is not a sign of hypovolemic shock; rather, a weak, thready pulse is expected due to reduced stroke volume [1].

Question 3: Best guide for the management of Resuscitation is:

A. Saturation of Oxygen
B. CVP
C. Blood pressure
D. Urine output (Correct Answer)

Explanation: ***Urine output*** - **Urine output** is considered the **gold standard** for assessing adequacy of resuscitation as it directly reflects **end-organ perfusion** and **tissue oxygenation**. A target of **0.5-1 mL/kg/hour** indicates adequate renal perfusion and overall circulatory status. - It serves as a reliable **endpoint of resuscitation** in trauma and critical care protocols, providing objective evidence that fluid resuscitation has achieved adequate **tissue perfusion** and **microcirculatory flow**. *Saturation of Oxygen* - While **oxygen saturation** is crucial for ensuring adequate **oxygen delivery** to tissues, it represents only one component of the oxygen delivery equation and doesn't reflect **tissue perfusion** adequacy. - Maintaining normal oxygen saturation does not guarantee adequate **end-organ perfusion** if cardiac output or tissue perfusion is compromised during resuscitation. *CVP* - **Central venous pressure** has poor correlation with actual **intravascular volume status** and **cardiac preload**, making it an unreliable guide for fluid resuscitation. - CVP measurements are influenced by multiple factors including **ventilator settings**, **tricuspid valve function**, and **chest wall compliance**, limiting its utility as a resuscitation endpoint. *Blood pressure* - While **blood pressure** provides immediate feedback on **circulatory status** and is emphasized in current **ACLS** and **ATLS** protocols as an immediate target, it may not accurately reflect **microcirculatory perfusion**. - Blood pressure can be maintained through **vasoconstriction** while **end-organ perfusion** remains inadequate, making it less reliable than urine output for assessing true resuscitation adequacy.

Question 4: A patient is in shock with gross comminuted fracture. The first step in management is to give

A. Blood transfusion
B. Ringer's Lactate solution intravenously (Correct Answer)
C. Plasma expanders
D. Normal saline intravenously

Explanation: ***Ringer's Lactate solution intravenously*** - In cases of **hypovolemic shock**, the immediate priority is to restore circulating volume with an **isotonic crystalloid solution** like **Ringer's Lactate**. - This helps to stabilize hemodynamics and perfuse vital organs, while other measures are prepared. *Blood transfusion* - While blood loss is a concern in gross comminuted fractures, **blood transfusions** are generally reserved for more severe, confirmed blood loss and are often given after initial crystalloid resuscitation. - Type-specific or cross-matched blood may take time to prepare and administer. *Plasma expanders* - **Plasma expanders** (e.g., colloids) are alternatives but are generally not the first-line choice over crystalloids for initial resuscitation in trauma, due to their higher cost and potential side effects, with no clear survival benefit. - They also do not address the acute need for volume replacement as effectively as initial rapid infusion of crystalloids. *Normal saline intravenously* - **Normal saline** is an isotonic crystalloid and could be used; however, **Ringer's Lactate** is often preferred in large volumes for trauma and shock patients because its balanced electrolyte composition closer to plasma may help to prevent **hyperchloremic acidosis**. - While not as detrimental as in very large volumes, normal saline can contribute to metabolic acidosis when given in excessive amounts.

Question 5: A patient is brought to the emergency following a head-on collision road traffic accident. His BP is 90/60 mmHg. Tachycardia is present. Most likely diagnosis is

A. SDH
B. EDH
C. Intra-abdominal bleeding (Correct Answer)
D. Intra cranial hemorrhage

Explanation: ***Intra-abdominal bleeding*** - Following a **head-on collision**, hypotension (BP 90/60 mmHg) and tachycardia are classic signs of **hypovolemic shock**, most commonly due to significant internal bleeding. - The **abdomen** is a common site for massive blood loss after blunt trauma, as it can contain large volumes of blood without obvious external signs. *SDH (Subdural Hematoma)* - While a subdural hematoma can occur after head trauma, significant **intracranial bleeding** typically causes signs of increased intracranial pressure (e.g., headache, altered mental status, neurological deficits), and often leads to **hypertension with bradycardia** (Cushing's reflex), not hypotension and tachycardia. - The primary hemodynamic response to an isolated SDH would not be profound hypotension and tachycardia unless there was a co-existing systemic injury. *EDH (Epidural Hematoma)* - An epidural hematoma is also an intracranial injury that causes signs of **increased intracranial pressure**, such as headache, vomiting, and a potential "lucid interval." - Like SDH, it would not typically cause **hypotension and tachycardia** as the primary hemodynamic response, as it does not lead to significant blood loss from the circulatory system. *Intracranial hemorrhage* - This is a general term for bleeding within the skull, encompassing conditions like SDH and EDH. - While it is a severe injury, isolated intracranial hemorrhage generally does not cause **hypotension and tachycardia** because the cranial vault has limited space, and therefore, blood loss is not sufficient to produce systemic shock. Instead, it often leads to signs of **increased intracranial pressure** including **hypertension and bradycardia**.

Question 6: A patient in shock comes to you in the trauma ward. You examine him and decide not to give him vasoconstrictors. Which type of shock is your patient having?

A. Cardiogenic shock
B. Distributive shock (Correct Answer)
C. Neurogenic shock
D. Hemorrhagic shock

Explanation: ***Distributive shock*** - Distributive shock, particularly **septic shock**, often presents with **peripheral vasodilation** and a low systemic vascular resistance. - Administering additional **vasoconstrictors** in this context could worsen tissue perfusion if not carefully titrated, as the primary issue is maldistribution of blood flow rather than inadequate vascular tone alone. *Cardiogenic shock* - In **cardiogenic shock**, there is **myocardial dysfunction** leading to decreased cardiac output. - **Vasoconstrictors** may be used cautiously to maintain systemic perfusion pressure and improve coronary perfusion, although inotropes are often prioritized. *Neurogenic shock* - **Neurogenic shock** is a form of distributive shock caused by the **loss of sympathetic tone** due to spinal cord injury, leading to widespread vasodilation [1]. - **Vasoconstrictors** are a primary treatment in neurogenic shock to restore vascular tone and increase blood pressure [1]. *Hemorrhagic shock* - **Hemorrhagic shock** results from **significant blood loss**, leading to decreased circulating volume and reduced cardiac output. - The immediate priority is **fluid resuscitation** and **stopping the bleeding**, but vasoconstrictors are not typically the primary treatment and can worsen perfusion in some vascular beds [1].

Question 7: What is the preferred fluid in a poly-traumatic patient with shock?

A. Ringer lactate (Correct Answer)
B. Dextran
C. Normal saline
D. Dextrose-normal saline

Explanation: ***Ringer lactate*** - **Ringer's lactate (RL)** is the **preferred initial resuscitation fluid** for poly-traumatic patients with shock according to **ATLS (Advanced Trauma Life Support) guidelines**. - It is a **balanced crystalloid** with electrolyte composition similar to plasma, providing effective volume expansion while minimizing the risk of **hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis** that occurs with large-volume normal saline administration. - The lactate in RL is rapidly metabolized to bicarbonate by the liver, helping to buffer any existing acidosis, and does not worsen lactic acidosis in trauma patients. - RL also contains **potassium and calcium**, which help maintain physiological electrolyte balance during resuscitation. *Normal saline* - While **normal saline (0.9% NaCl)** is an isotonic crystalloid, it has a **supraphysiological chloride concentration** (154 mEq/L) compared to plasma (100 mEq/L). - Large-volume administration in trauma can cause **hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis**, which can worsen outcomes and is particularly problematic in poly-trauma patients already at risk for metabolic derangements. - It remains acceptable as an alternative when RL is unavailable, but is no longer considered the first-line choice in modern trauma protocols. *Dextran* - **Dextran** is a colloid solution that carries significant risks including **anaphylactic reactions** and **coagulopathy** by interfering with platelet function and clotting factors. - These adverse effects are particularly dangerous in poly-traumatic patients who may already have traumatic coagulopathy. - It is **not recommended** for initial trauma resuscitation due to these risks and lack of proven superiority over crystalloids. *Dextrose-normal saline* - **Dextrose-containing solutions** are hypotonic after dextrose metabolism, leading to ineffective intravascular volume expansion as fluid shifts into the intracellular compartment. - They can worsen **cerebral edema** in head-injured trauma patients and cause dangerous electrolyte imbalances. - These solutions are **contraindicated** in acute trauma resuscitation.

Question 8: In adults, circulatory collapse occurs after what percent of burns of total body surface area?

A. 1%
B. 10%
C. 15% (Correct Answer)
D. 5%

Explanation: ***Correct Option: 15%*** - In adults, **circulatory collapse** and **burn shock** are typically anticipated with burns affecting **15% or more** of the total body surface area (TBSA). - This threshold signifies significant fluid loss into extravascular spaces, necessitating aggressive intravenous fluid resuscitation to prevent hypovolemic shock. - Standard burn protocols recommend IV fluid resuscitation for adults with **>15-20% TBSA burns**. *Incorrect Option: 10%* - The **10% TBSA threshold** is primarily used for **pediatric patients**, not adults. - In children, circulatory collapse can occur at lower TBSA percentages due to smaller total blood volume and higher body surface area to weight ratio. - While a 10% burn in an adult requires careful monitoring and wound care, it typically does not lead to circulatory collapse in otherwise healthy adults. *Incorrect Option: 5%* - A burn of 5% TBSA is generally **not sufficient** to cause systemic circulatory collapse in an adult. - While requiring wound care and causing local fluid shifts, it typically does not prompt aggressive intravenous resuscitation for shock prevention unless other comorbidities are present. *Incorrect Option: 1%* - A 1% TBSA burn is a **minor burn** and extremely unlikely to lead to circulatory collapse in an adult. - This extent of burn usually involves only local pain and inflammation, with minimal systemic effects.

Question 9: For resuscitation in burn shock, the following fluid is advised

A. Crystalloids & Colloids (Correct Answer)
B. Packed cell volume
C. Whole blood volume
D. Plasma

Explanation: ***Crystalloids & Colloids*** - **Crystalloids** (e.g., Ringer's lactate) are the primary fluid for **burn resuscitation** to restore intravascular volume due to increased capillary permeability. - **Colloids** (e.g., albumin) may be added after the initial fluid shift stabilizes (typically after 12-24 hours) to maintain oncotic pressure and prevent excessive edema. *Packed cell volume* - **Packed red blood cells** are generally not indicated for routine early burn resuscitation, as the primary fluid loss is plasma, not red blood cells. - They are reserved for significant **hemorrhage** or severe anemia that develops later in the burn course. *Whole blood volume* - **Whole blood** is rarely used in burn shock resuscitation because it contains both red blood cells and plasma, which are not lost in equal proportions during the acute phase. - The focus is on replacing the lost **plasma volume** and electrolytes. *Plasma* - While plasma is the fluid lost in burn injuries, direct **plasma transfusion** is usually not the first-line treatment for volume resuscitation. - **Crystalloids** are preferred initially due to their availability, lower cost, and ability to expand intravascular volume effectively in the acute phase.

Question 10: Estimate volume of Ringer lactate in first 8 hours for a 50 kg male with 40% TBSA second-degree burns?

A. 8 liters
B. 4 liters (Correct Answer)
C. 2 liters
D. 6 liters

Explanation: **4 liters** - The Parkland formula is used for fluid resuscitation in burn patients: **4 mL x body weight (kg) x % TBSA burned**. - For a 50 kg male with 40% burns, the total fluid needed in the first 24 hours is 4 mL x 50 kg x 40% = **8000 mL (8 liters)**. Half of this volume is given in the first 8 hours, which is 8000 mL / 2 = **4000 mL (4 liters)**. *8 liters* - This volume represents the **total fluid requirement for the first 24 hours**, not just the first 8 hours. - The Parkland formula dictates that only half of the total 24-hour fluid volume is administered in the first 8 hours post-burn. *2 liters* - This amount is **insufficient** for adequate resuscitation of a patient with 40% total body surface area (TBSA) burns. - Administering only 2 liters would likely lead to **under-resuscitation and hypovolemic shock**. *6 liters* - This volume is **more than the recommended amount** for the first 8 hours but less than the total 24-hour requirement. - Over-resuscitation can lead to complications such as **compartment syndrome** and **pulmonary edema**.

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