Extreme blood loss may lead to which type of shock?

Extreme blood loss may lead to which type of shock?

• A. Cardiogenic
• B. Hemorrhagic
• C. Anaphylactic
• D. Neurogenic

Answer: (B)

Extreme blood loss reduces the circulating blood volume, so there is less blood returning to the heart to fill it. That lowers preload, which decreases stroke volume and overall cardiac output. Tissues then become underperfused and hypoxic. The body tries to compensate with faster heart rate and vasoconstriction, but when the blood loss is severe, blood pressure drops and skin becomes pale and clammy, with possible mental status changes. This pattern is hemorrhagic shock, the type caused by significant bleeding. Other shock types involve different problems: cardiogenic shock is from the heart’s pumping inability, not simply reduced volume, and usually shows signs of heart failure like pulmonary edema. Anaphylactic shock is due to widespread vasodilation and capillary leak from an allergic reaction, often with airway symptoms. Neurogenic shock results from loss of sympathetic tone (such as from spinal injury), causing hypotension with warm, dry skin and sometimes bradycardia.

Extreme blood loss reduces the circulating blood volume, so there is less blood returning to the heart to fill it. That lowers preload, which decreases stroke volume and overall cardiac output. Tissues then become underperfused and hypoxic. The body tries to compensate with faster heart rate and vasoconstriction, but when the blood loss is severe, blood pressure drops and skin becomes pale and clammy, with possible mental status changes. This pattern is hemorrhagic shock, the type caused by significant bleeding.

Other shock types involve different problems: cardiogenic shock is from the heart’s pumping inability, not simply reduced volume, and usually shows signs of heart failure like pulmonary edema. Anaphylactic shock is due to widespread vasodilation and capillary leak from an allergic reaction, often with airway symptoms. Neurogenic shock results from loss of sympathetic tone (such as from spinal injury), causing hypotension with warm, dry skin and sometimes bradycardia.