Exam Cram NCLEX RN Practice Questions Related

Review Exam Cram NCLEX RN Practice Questions related questions and content

How does shock typically progress?

  • A. Compensated to hypotensive shock in hours and hypotensive shock to cardiac arrest in minutes
  • B. Compensated to hypotensive shock in minutes and hypotensive shock to cardiac arrest in hours
  • C. Hypotensive to compensated shock in hours and compensated shock to cardiac arrest in minutes
  • D. Hypotensive to compensated shock in minutes and compensated shock to cardiac arrest in hours
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Shock typically progresses from a compensated state to hypotensive shock over a period of hours. In the compensated phase, the body is trying to maintain perfusion. It is crucial to identify and intervene during this phase to prevent progression to hypotensive shock, where blood pressure drops significantly. If not promptly managed, hypotensive shock can rapidly deteriorate into cardiac arrest in minutes due to inadequate perfusion to vital organs. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not follow the typical progression of shock stages as seen in clinical practice. Understanding the stages of shock and their timeframes is crucial for early recognition and appropriate intervention to prevent further deterioration.