What clinical manifestation distinguishes or separates neurogenic shock from other forms of shock?
Hypotension
Change in mental status
Bradycardia
Warm, edematous skin
The Correct Answer is C
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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Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Decreased systemic vascular resistance, decreased CVP. In hypovolemic shock, the body compensates by increasing systemic vascular resistance to maintain blood pressure. Therefore, decreased systemic vascular resistance is not consistent with hypovolemic shock. Central venous pressure (CVP) would be low due to reduced blood volume.
Choice B reason: Increased systemic vascular resistance, decreased CVP. Hypovolemic shock is characterized by low blood volume, leading to decreased cardiac output and low CVP. The body compensates by increasing systemic vascular resistance to maintain blood pressure, making this the correct answer.
Choice C reason: Increased systemic vascular resistance, increased CVP. While systemic vascular resistance increases, CVP is typically decreased in hypovolemic shock due to the lack of circulating blood volume.
Choice D reason: Decreased systemic vascular resistance, increased CVP. Decreased systemic vascular resistance and increased CVP are not consistent with hypovolemic shock. These parameters might be seen in conditions with different hemodynamic profiles.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
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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