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SEPSIS & SHOCK NURSING EXAM – EARLY
RECOGNITION & MANAGEMENT 2026 JUST
RELEASED VERSION
SECTION I: PATHOPHYSIOLOGY & RISK FACTORS (1–20)
1. Sepsis is defined as:
A. Life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated
host response to infection
B. Mild infection only
C. Hypotension alone
D. Tachycardia alone
Answer: A
Rationale: Sepsis involves organ dysfunction due to systemic
inflammation; early recognition reduces mortality.
2. Septic shock is characterized by:
A. Persistent hypotension requiring vasopressors and elevated
lactate >2 mmol/L despite fluid resuscitation
B. Hypotension alone
C. Fever alone
D. Infection without organ dysfunction
Answer: A
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3. Common risk factors for sepsis include:
A. Immunosuppression, chronic illness, indwelling devices,
extremes of age
B. Healthy adults only
C. Mild dehydration only
D. Physical activity
Answer: A
4. Early systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS)
criteria include:
A. Temp >38°C or <36°C, HR >90, RR >20, WBC >12,000 or
<4,000
B. Only fever
C. Only hypotension
D. Only tachycardia
Answer: A
5. Organ dysfunction in sepsis can be identified by:
A. Hypotension, elevated creatinine, decreased urine output,
altered mental status
B. Mild rash only
C. Pain only
D. None
,3
Answer: A
6. Common infectious sources of sepsis:
A. Lungs (pneumonia), urinary tract, abdomen, bloodstream
B. Skin only
C. Muscles only
D. CNS only
Answer: A
7. Gram-negative bacteria often cause:
A. Septic shock due to endotoxin release
B. Mild infection only
C. Fungal infections
D. Viral infections
Answer: A
8. Gram-positive bacteria may lead to:
A. Sepsis via exotoxin-mediated responses (e.g., Staph aureus,
Streptococcus)
B. Only skin infections
C. Only mild infections
D. Viral illness
, 4
Answer: A
9. Inflammatory mediators in sepsis include:
A. TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, prostaglandins
B. Only insulin
C. Only glucagon
D. None
Answer: A
10. Endothelial dysfunction in sepsis leads to:
A. Capillary leak, hypotension, tissue edema
B. Only bradycardia
C. Fever only
D. Rash only
Answer: A
11. Early sepsis may present with:
A. Fever, tachycardia, tachypnea, warm flushed skin
B. Bradycardia only
C. Hypothermia only
D. Cyanosis only
Answer: A
SEPSIS & SHOCK NURSING EXAM – EARLY
RECOGNITION & MANAGEMENT 2026 JUST
RELEASED VERSION
SECTION I: PATHOPHYSIOLOGY & RISK FACTORS (1–20)
1. Sepsis is defined as:
A. Life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated
host response to infection
B. Mild infection only
C. Hypotension alone
D. Tachycardia alone
Answer: A
Rationale: Sepsis involves organ dysfunction due to systemic
inflammation; early recognition reduces mortality.
2. Septic shock is characterized by:
A. Persistent hypotension requiring vasopressors and elevated
lactate >2 mmol/L despite fluid resuscitation
B. Hypotension alone
C. Fever alone
D. Infection without organ dysfunction
Answer: A
,2
3. Common risk factors for sepsis include:
A. Immunosuppression, chronic illness, indwelling devices,
extremes of age
B. Healthy adults only
C. Mild dehydration only
D. Physical activity
Answer: A
4. Early systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS)
criteria include:
A. Temp >38°C or <36°C, HR >90, RR >20, WBC >12,000 or
<4,000
B. Only fever
C. Only hypotension
D. Only tachycardia
Answer: A
5. Organ dysfunction in sepsis can be identified by:
A. Hypotension, elevated creatinine, decreased urine output,
altered mental status
B. Mild rash only
C. Pain only
D. None
,3
Answer: A
6. Common infectious sources of sepsis:
A. Lungs (pneumonia), urinary tract, abdomen, bloodstream
B. Skin only
C. Muscles only
D. CNS only
Answer: A
7. Gram-negative bacteria often cause:
A. Septic shock due to endotoxin release
B. Mild infection only
C. Fungal infections
D. Viral infections
Answer: A
8. Gram-positive bacteria may lead to:
A. Sepsis via exotoxin-mediated responses (e.g., Staph aureus,
Streptococcus)
B. Only skin infections
C. Only mild infections
D. Viral illness
, 4
Answer: A
9. Inflammatory mediators in sepsis include:
A. TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, prostaglandins
B. Only insulin
C. Only glucagon
D. None
Answer: A
10. Endothelial dysfunction in sepsis leads to:
A. Capillary leak, hypotension, tissue edema
B. Only bradycardia
C. Fever only
D. Rash only
Answer: A
11. Early sepsis may present with:
A. Fever, tachycardia, tachypnea, warm flushed skin
B. Bradycardia only
C. Hypothermia only
D. Cyanosis only
Answer: A
