You are a nurse in the Emergency Department (ED) caring for a client presenting with vasodilation. Your assessment indicates that the client's central blood flow is reduced and their peripheral vascular area is Hypervolemic. You notify the physician that this client is in what kind of shock?
A) Distributive
B) Cardiogenic
C) Hypovolemic
D) Obstructive

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Vasodilation and a hypervolemic peripheral vascular area are both indicative of distributive shock, which occurs when there is a widespread and excessive vasodilation resulting in decreased peripheral vascular resistance and impaired tissue perfusion. The reduced central blood flow also supports this diagnosis, as there is inadequate circulation of blood to the vital organs that support the body's normal physiological functioning. Cardiogenic shock would involve a primary issue within the heart causing decreased cardiac output, hypovolemic shock would involve a loss of fluid volume, and obstructive shock would be the result of an obstruction preventing normal blood flow.

You Are a Nurse in the Emergency Department (ED) Caring