AGACNP certification cheat sheet
Shock: hemodynamic patterns and first treatment
The four types of shock, their typical hemodynamic profile and the first-line response.
Reviewed by a licensed nurse · 25 October 2026
Profiles
| Type | Cardiac output | Preload (CVP, PCWP) | Afterload (SVR) | First treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hypovolemic | Low | Low | High | Stop the loss. Blood or crystalloid. |
| Cardiogenic | Low | High | High | Treat the cause (revascularization). Inotropes. Careful with fluids. |
| Distributive (septic) | High early, low late | Low or normal | Low | Fluids, antibiotics, norepinephrine |
| Distributive (anaphylactic) | Variable | Low | Low | Intramuscular epinephrine, fluids |
| Obstructive | Low | High (tamponade, tension pneumothorax, pulmonary embolism) | High | Relieve the obstruction |
Lactate above 2 mmol/L and a mean arterial pressure under 65 mmHg point to inadequate perfusion.
Educational content for exam preparation. It is not clinical guidance and does not replace your facility's policies, current professional guidelines or the advice of a qualified clinician.
boardreadynurse.com · NCBI StatPearls: Shock