Trauma surgery: hemorrhagic shock: practice question

A General Surgery question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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General Surgery · Trauma surgery: hemorrhagic shock

Sample item

A trauma patient is hypotensive, tachycardic, cold, and has a positive focused abdominal sonography for trauma (FAST) examination. What is the most likely source category of shock?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Hemorrhagic shock from intra-abdominal bleeding

In trauma, hypotension with a positive FAST examination suggests hemoperitoneum and hemorrhagic shock until proven otherwise. Resuscitation and hemorrhage control should proceed through the trauma pathway.

Option by option

  • A. Hemorrhagic shock from intra-abdominal bleeding (correct)

    Correct. Free intraperitoneal fluid in an unstable trauma patient is presumed blood.

  • B. Cardiogenic shock from myocardial infarction

    Myocardial infarction is possible in some patients but does not explain a positive FAST in this setting.

  • C. Septic shock from pneumonia

    Pneumonia does not cause acute free abdominal fluid after trauma.

  • D. Neurogenic shock

    Neurogenic shock is typically associated with warm skin and relative bradycardia after spinal injury.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this General Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is A, Hemorrhagic shock from intra-abdominal bleeding. In trauma, hypotension with a positive FAST examination suggests hemoperitoneum and hemorrhagic shock until proven otherwise.

Why is "Cardiogenic shock from myocardial infarction" not the answer?

Myocardial infarction is possible in some patients but does not explain a positive FAST in this setting.

Why is "Septic shock from pneumonia" not the answer?

Pneumonia does not cause acute free abdominal fluid after trauma.

Why is "Neurogenic shock" not the answer?

Neurogenic shock is typically associated with warm skin and relative bradycardia after spinal injury.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Trauma surgery: hemorrhagic shock in General Surgery. Resuscitation and hemorrhage control should proceed through the trauma pathway.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Trauma surgery: hemorrhagic shock?

Learn classic signs and eponyms alongside what they diagnose. Then use the flashcards and the other General Surgery questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.