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Cardiovascular Physiology

Shock and heart failure Practice Questions

20 free Shock and heart failure practice questions for the Physiology. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.

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Question 1 of 20 Medium

Shock is best defined as a condition characterized by:

  1. A Increased blood pressure
  2. B Inadequate tissue perfusion
  3. C Excessive oxygen delivery
  4. D Primary respiratory failure

Correct answer: Inadequate tissue perfusion

Shock occurs when tissue perfusion is insufficient to meet metabolic needs. This leads to cellular hypoxia and organ dysfunction.

Question 2 of 20 Medium

Which type of shock results from severe blood or fluid loss?

  1. A Cardiogenic shock
  2. B Distributive shock
  3. C Hypovolemic shock
  4. D Obstructive shock

Correct answer: Hypovolemic shock

Hypovolemic shock is caused by reduced circulating blood volume. This decreases venous return and cardiac output.

Question 3 of 20 Medium

Cardiogenic shock is primarily due to:

  1. A Loss of blood volume
  2. B Peripheral vasodilation
  3. C Pump failure of the heart
  4. D Obstruction to venous return

Correct answer: Pump failure of the heart

Cardiogenic shock results from failure of the heart to pump effectively. Myocardial infarction is a common cause.

Question 4 of 20 Medium

Which feature is most characteristic of distributive shock?

  1. A High peripheral resistance
  2. B Cold clammy skin
  3. C Widespread vasodilation
  4. D Reduced capillary permeability

Correct answer: Widespread vasodilation

Distributive shock involves abnormal distribution of blood due to vasodilation. Septic shock is a classic example.

Question 5 of 20 Medium

In early compensated shock, which mechanism helps maintain blood pressure?

  1. A Reduced heart rate
  2. B Increased parasympathetic activity
  3. C Sympathetic activation
  4. D Decreased peripheral resistance

Correct answer: Sympathetic activation

Sympathetic activation increases heart rate and vasoconstriction. This temporarily maintains blood pressure.

Question 6 of 20 Medium

Which organ is most sensitive to reduced perfusion during shock?

  1. A Skin
  2. B Kidneys
  3. C Liver
  4. D Skeletal muscle

Correct answer: Kidneys

The kidneys are highly sensitive to reduced blood flow. Prolonged hypoperfusion can lead to acute renal failure.

Question 7 of 20 Medium

Which parameter is typically decreased in cardiogenic shock?

  1. A Central venous pressure
  2. B Peripheral resistance
  3. C Cardiac output
  4. D Blood volume

Correct answer: Cardiac output

Cardiac output is reduced due to impaired myocardial pumping. This leads to systemic hypoperfusion.

Question 8 of 20 Medium

Septic shock is most commonly caused by:

  1. A Loss of plasma proteins into tissues
  2. B Endotoxin-mediated vasodilation
  3. C Acute myocardial ischemia
  4. D Massive pulmonary embolism

Correct answer: Endotoxin-mediated vasodilation

Bacterial endotoxins trigger inflammatory mediators. These cause vasodilation and increased capillary permeability.

Question 9 of 20 Medium

Which clinical sign is typical of hypovolemic shock?

  1. A Warm flushed skin
  2. B Bradycardia
  3. C Narrow pulse pressure
  4. D Increased urine output

Correct answer: Narrow pulse pressure

Hypovolemic shock causes reduced stroke volume leading to narrow pulse pressure. Peripheral vasoconstriction is prominent.

Question 10 of 20 Medium

Obstructive shock can be caused by all EXCEPT:

  1. A Cardiac tamponade
  2. B Pulmonary embolism
  3. C Tension pneumothorax
  4. D Severe dehydration

Correct answer: Severe dehydration

Severe dehydration causes hypovolemic shock, not obstructive shock. Obstructive shock impairs cardiac filling or output.

Question 11 of 20 Medium

Heart failure is defined as the inability of the heart to:

  1. A Generate normal electrical impulses through its conduction system
  2. B Pump blood fast enough to meet tissue needs
  3. C Maintain a normal, regular heart rhythm
  4. D Prevent backflow through its valves

Correct answer: Pump blood fast enough to meet tissue needs

Heart failure occurs when cardiac output is inadequate to meet metabolic demands. It may occur at rest or during activity.

Question 12 of 20 Medium

Left-sided heart failure commonly leads to:

  1. A Peripheral edema of the lower limbs
  2. B Pulmonary congestion
  3. C Ascites with abdominal distension
  4. D Hepatomegaly

Correct answer: Pulmonary congestion

Left ventricular failure causes blood to back up into pulmonary circulation. This results in pulmonary edema and dyspnea.

Question 13 of 20 Medium

Right-sided heart failure is most often a consequence of:

  1. A Systemic hypertension
  2. B Left-sided heart failure
  3. C Aortic valve stenosis
  4. D Myocardial infarction of left ventricle only

Correct answer: Left-sided heart failure

Right-sided heart failure commonly develops secondary to left-sided failure. Pulmonary hypertension increases right ventricular workload.

Question 14 of 20 Medium

Which compensatory mechanism initially helps maintain cardiac output in heart failure?

  1. A Reduced sympathetic tone
  2. B Renin-angiotensin activation
  3. C Decreased circulating blood volume
  4. D Widespread arterial vasodilation

Correct answer: Renin-angiotensin activation

The renin-angiotensin system increases blood volume and vasoconstriction. This helps maintain blood pressure and perfusion.

Question 15 of 20 Medium

Chronic heart failure often leads to fluid retention due to increased:

  1. A Atrial natriuretic peptide
  2. B Renal blood flow
  3. C Aldosterone secretion
  4. D Glomerular filtration rate

Correct answer: Aldosterone secretion

Aldosterone promotes sodium and water retention. Its increased secretion contributes to edema in heart failure.

Question 16 of 20 Medium

Which symptom is most characteristic of acute left heart failure?

  1. A Peripheral edema
  2. B Orthopnea
  3. C Ascites
  4. D Splenomegaly

Correct answer: Orthopnea

Orthopnea occurs due to pulmonary congestion when lying flat. It is a hallmark of left-sided heart failure.

Question 17 of 20 Medium

The Frank-Starling mechanism in heart failure initially:

  1. A Decreases stroke volume
  2. B Raises output via increased preload
  3. C Prevents progressive ventricular dilation
  4. D Inhibits sympathetic nervous activity

Correct answer: Raises output via increased preload

Increased preload stretches myocardial fibers, improving contraction. This mechanism helps compensate in early heart failure.

Question 18 of 20 Medium

Which form of shock is most directly associated with heart failure?

  1. A Hypovolemic shock
  2. B Distributive shock
  3. C Cardiogenic shock
  4. D Neurogenic shock

Correct answer: Cardiogenic shock

Cardiogenic shock arises from severe heart failure. Pump failure leads to inadequate tissue perfusion.

Question 19 of 20 Medium

Pulmonary edema in heart failure is primarily due to:

  1. A Increased circulating plasma proteins
  2. B High pulmonary capillary pressure
  3. C Decreased lymphatic drainage
  4. D Reduced alveolar ventilation

Correct answer: High pulmonary capillary pressure

Left ventricular failure raises pulmonary venous pressure. This causes fluid transudation into alveoli.

Question 20 of 20 Medium

Which parameter is commonly elevated in chronic congestive heart failure?

  1. A Cardiac output
  2. B Venous pressure
  3. C Glomerular filtration rate
  4. D Arterial oxygen content

Correct answer: Venous pressure

Venous pressure increases due to blood backing up in the systemic circulation. This contributes to peripheral edema.

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