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 ["A","B","C"]

Explanation

Choice A reason: Tachycardia. In late septic shock, the body attempts to compensate for poor perfusion and low blood pressure by increasing the heart rate. Tachycardia is a common finding as the heart tries to pump more blood to the tissues.

Choice B reason: Lethargic mental status. As septic shock progresses, decreased perfusion to the brain can lead to changes in mental status, such as lethargy or confusion. This reflects the severity of the condition and the impact on the central nervous system.

Choice C reason: Anuria. Anuria, or the absence of urine output, occurs in late septic shock due to severe hypoperfusion and failure of the kidneys. It is a critical sign indicating that the body's organs are shutting down.

Choice D reason: Normal blood pressure. In late septic shock, blood pressure is typically very low due to systemic vasodilation and fluid loss. Normal blood pressure would not be expected at this advanced stage.

Choice E reason: Warm flushed skin. Warm flushed skin is associated with the early stages of septic shock when vasodilation leads to increased blood flow to the skin. In late septic shock, the skin is more likely to be cool and pale due to poor perfusion.

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:

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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?

Correct Answer is ["A","B","C"]

Explanation

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

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

What is a late sign of septic shock?

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

Cardiogenic shock occurs when the heart's pumping ability is compromised. What can impair the pumping ability of the heart? Select all that apply.

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.)

What is an integumentary manifestation of anaphylactic shock?

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

The nurse caring for a client in the early stages of hypovolemic shock who is hyperventilating. The nurse monitors for which acid-base imbalance based on this clinical presentation?

The compensatory stage of shock results in what assessment findings?