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

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the AACN Certification Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question comes with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


Which is NOT a common treatment for hypovolemic shock?

  1. Colloid infusion

  2. Volume resuscitation

  3. Transfusion of packed red blood cells

  4. Mechanical assistance devices

The correct answer is: Mechanical assistance devices

In cases of hypovolemic shock, the primary goal is to restore adequate tissue perfusion through the replenishment of circulating volume. Colloid infusion, volume resuscitation, and transfusion of packed red blood cells are common treatments aimed at achieving this goal. Colloid infusions help expand the intravascular volume more effectively compared to crystalloids by pulling fluid into the vascular space. Volume resuscitation, which includes the use of fluids like crystalloids or colloids, is an essential first-line treatment to counteract the effects of low blood volume. Additionally, the transfusion of packed red blood cells is critical when the patient has severe blood loss, as it directly addresses both volume loss and oxygen-carrying capacity. Mechanical assistance devices, however, are typically employed in situations of cardiogenic shock or severe heart failure, where the heart's ability to pump effectively is compromised. They are not a standard treatment for hypovolemic shock, which primarily focuses on restoring blood volume rather than providing mechanical support for cardiac function.