Practice Test Geeks(ACCS) Adult Critical Care Specialty Practice Test
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Hemodynamic Monitoring and Shock Management Flashcards

7 cards from real ACCS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Hemodynamic Monitoring and Shock Management flashcards as text

  1. What is the target mean arterial pressure (MAP) recommended for critically ill adults to ensure adequate organ perfusion?

    Answer: 65–100 mmHg

    A MAP of 65–100 mmHg is the accepted target range in critically ill patients, with 65 mmHg as the minimum threshold recommended in septic shock guidelines.

  2. Which hemodynamic parameter best reflects left ventricular preload in a critically ill patient?

    Answer: Pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP)

    PAWP (pulmonary capillary wedge pressure) reflects left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and is the most reliable indirect measure of left ventricular preload.

  3. A patient in cardiogenic shock would most likely present with which hemodynamic profile?

    Answer: Decreased CO and elevated SVR

    Cardiogenic shock is characterized by pump failure causing decreased cardiac output, with the body compensating through vasoconstriction to maintain blood pressure.

  4. Which type of shock is classically characterized by distributive physiology with markedly low systemic vascular resistance?

    Answer: Septic shock

    Septic shock is the prototypical distributive shock, where inflammatory mediators cause widespread vasodilation resulting in low SVR and maldistribution of blood flow.

  5. The Fick equation is primarily used to calculate which hemodynamic parameter?

    Answer: Cardiac output

    The Fick equation calculates cardiac output by dividing oxygen consumption (VO2) by the arteriovenous oxygen content difference (CaO2 – CvO2).

  6. What is the normal cardiac index (CI) range for adult patients?

    Answer: 2.2–4.0 L/min/m²

    Normal cardiac index, which is cardiac output indexed to body surface area, is 2.2–4.0 L/min/m²; values below 2.2 suggest a low cardiac output state.

  7. Which waveform characteristic indicates proper pulmonary artery catheter wedge position?

    Answer: Loss of pulsatile waveform with a low, flat pressure tracing

    A wedged catheter position produces a non-pulsatile, low-pressure tracing reflecting left atrial pressure, because the inflated balloon isolates the tip from pulmonary artery pulsations.