In the case described as cardiogenic shock, what was noted about the lung sounds?

• A. Crackles heard in both lungs
• B. Wheezing with rhonchi
• C. Clear lungs
• D. Absent breath sounds on one side

Answer: (C)

In evaluating shock, lung sounds help you spot whether fluid overload or airway/lung problems are contributing. In this described case of cardiogenic shock, the lungs being clear means there’s no evident pulmonary edema or other lung issue at that moment. Clear lungs point away from left-sided pulmonary edema (which would cause crackles) and away from airway obstruction or pneumothorax (which would cause absent or abnormal sounds). So the observation of clear lungs aligns with a cardiogenic process without overt fluid in the lungs, making it the best description. If crackles were present, that would suggest pulmonary edema from heart failure; wheezing would imply bronchospasm; absent breath sounds on one side would indicate a pneumothorax or large effusion—none of which fit this scenario.