The pathophysiology of shock is best described as:

severe blood loss as a result of trauma.

catatonia as a result of a psychological disturbance.

tachycardia and hypotension.

an imbalance between oxygen supply and demand.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

Choice A reason:

Severe blood loss due to trauma can lead to hypovolemic shock, a specific type of shock. However, this description is not comprehensive enough to cover the pathophysiology of all types of shock. Shock involves various mechanisms and can occur due to different underlying causes beyond just blood loss, such as cardiac failure, infections, or neurological issues.

Choice B reason:

Catatonia is a state of psychomotor immobility and behavioral abnormality stemming from psychological disturbances, not a direct feature of shock. While mental status changes can be a symptom of shock, catatonia itself is not a defining characteristic of the condition. The pathophysiology of shock involves physiological imbalances rather than purely psychological disturbances.

Choice C reason:

Tachycardia (increased heart rate) and hypotension (low blood pressure) are symptoms that can occur during shock, but they do not describe the underlying pathophysiology. These signs are the body's response to the decreased perfusion and oxygen delivery to tissues. The fundamental issue in shock is the failure to meet the body's metabolic demands due to impaired oxygen delivery, which is better captured by another option.

Choice D reason:

An imbalance between oxygen supply and demand is the core issue in all types of shock. Whether due to blood loss, heart failure, or systemic infection, shock results in insufficient oxygen delivery to meet the needs of tissues and organs. This imbalance leads to cellular hypoxia and subsequent organ dysfunction, encapsulating the essential pathophysiological process of shock.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason: Oliguria. Oliguria, or reduced urine output, is a manifestation that occurs later as shock progresses and renal perfusion decreases. It is not typically seen in the initial stage of shock.

Choice B reason: Hypotension. Hypotension generally appears in the compensatory and progressive stages of shock as the body's compensatory mechanisms begin to fail. In the initial stage, blood pressure may still be maintained by compensatory mechanisms.

Choice C reason: Respiratory alkalosis. Respiratory alkalosis is more likely to occur during the compensatory stage of shock due to hyperventilation as the body attempts to compensate for hypoxia. It is not anticipated in the initial stage of shock.

Choice D reason: Hypoxia. During the initial stage of shock, the body's cells and tissues begin to experience hypoxia due to reduced oxygen delivery. This is an early manifestation that the nurse should monitor for.

A. Hypotension B. Change in mental status C. Bradycardia D. Warm, edematous skin

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason:

Hypotension, or low blood pressure, is a common feature in all types of shock, including hypovolemic, cardiogenic, and septic shock. It is not specific to neurogenic shock and therefore does not help in distinguishing it from other forms of shock.

Choice B reason:

A change in mental status, such as confusion or decreased consciousness, can occur in many types of shock due to decreased cerebral perfusion. This symptom is not unique to neurogenic shock and can be seen in hypovolemic, cardiogenic, and septic shock as well.

Choice C reason:

Bradycardia, or a slow heart rate, is a hallmark of neurogenic shock. This occurs due to disruption of the sympathetic nervous system, which normally maintains a higher heart rate through sympathetic stimulation. In neurogenic shock, the loss of sympathetic tone leads to unopposed parasympathetic activity, resulting in bradycardia. This is in contrast to other forms of shock, which typically present with tachycardia.

Choice D reason:

Warm, edematous skin is not typically associated with neurogenic shock. This symptom may be more relevant in septic shock, where widespread vasodilation can lead to warm skin. However, it is not specific enough to distinguish neurogenic shock from other types of shock.

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The pathophysiology of shock is best described as:

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

During the initial stage of shock, which manifestation should the nurse monitor for when assessing the client?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

What clinical manifestation distinguishes or separates neurogenic shock from other forms of shock?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Which assessment findings indicate to the nurse that a client is exhibiting early clinical manifestations of the compensatory stage of shock? (Select all that apply.)

The nurse is caring for a patient who is experiencing shock. What finding would the nurse expect when assessing the abdomen?

The nurse working in the ICU is receiving a client diagnosed with late septic shock. The nurse correlates which clinical manifestations to this stage of septic shock?

What is the initial therapy of choice for the treatment of anaphylactic shock?

Which assessment finding indicates to the nurse that a client is exhibiting early clinical manifestations of the compensatory stage of shock? (Select all that apply).

The nurse understands that which hemodynamic parameters are consistent with hypovolemic shock? Decreased cardiac output and:

The nurse is caring for a patient who is the victim of a traumatic motor vehicle accident. Vital signs are: T-98.8 oral, P-140, B/P-86/52, R-28, pulse oximetry-92% on room air. The nurse would suspect which type of shock?

The compensatory stage of shock results in what assessment findings?