A severely stressed patient has cold, clammy skin. The healthcare professional quizzes the student about this effect. The student correctly answers that this effect is directly from which action?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In a stress response, the actions of norepinephrine and epinephrine are complementary. While epinephrine dilates blood vessels to the vital organs (among other things), norepinephrine constricts blood vessels in the viscera and skin, providing more blood supply for those vital organs. The clinical result is cold, clammy skin. Epinephrine can also dilate airways, but this does not produce the skin changes as described. Temperature dysregulation is not the cause of the cold, clammy skin.

A Severely Stressed Patient Has Cold, Clammy Skin