American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Certification Practice Test

What is a primary treatment goal for cardiogenic shock?

1. Increase circulating volume with crystalloids

2. Treat the underlying cause and support cardiac output

3. Relieve obstruction in the great vessels

4. Manage excessive vasodilation

The correct answer is: Treat the underlying cause and support cardiac output

The primary treatment goal for cardiogenic shock is to treat the underlying cause and support cardiac output. Cardiogenic shock occurs when the heart is unable to pump sufficient blood to meet the body's needs, often due to conditions like myocardial infarction or severe heart failure. Therefore, it is essential to identify and address the root cause of the impaired cardiac function—such as restoring blood flow to the heart muscle in cases of a heart attack or optimizing heart function in cases of cardiomyopathy. Supporting cardiac output is equally critical, as it directly correlates with tissue perfusion and oxygen delivery. This may involve interventions such as administering medications to improve heart contractility (inotropes), optimizing preload and afterload conditions, and providing devices such as intra-aortic balloon pumps to assist the heart's pumping ability. The other options do not directly align with the vital components of managing cardiogenic shock in the same comprehensive manner. While increasing circulating volume might be useful in managing certain types of shock (like hypovolemic), it is not the main focus in cardiogenic shock, where fluid overload can actually exacerbate heart dysfunction. Similarly, addressing vascular obstructions relates more to obstructive shock types, and managing vasodilation is less of a priority compared to restoring heart