West Coast EMT Block Two Practice Exam

Neurogenic shock is characterized by widespread dilation of blood vessels due to disruption of the nervous system's control over vascular tone. This type of shock often occurs after a spinal cord injury or severe brain injury, where the sympathetic nervous system is unable to maintain vascular resistance. As a result, blood vessels dilate excessively, leading to reduced systemic vascular resistance. This dilation causes a drop in blood pressure and can result in inadequate perfusion to vital organs.

In contrast, cardiogenic shock typically involves the heart's inability to pump effectively, leading to low cardiac output rather than systemic vessel dilation. Hypovolemic shock results from significant blood loss or fluid loss, leading to reduced blood volume and not vessel dilation. Obstructive shock is caused by physical obstructions in the circulatory system, such as cardiac tamponade or pulmonary embolism, and also does not involve widespread vessel dilation like neurogenic shock does. Thus, the hallmark of neurogenic shock is indeed the widespread dilation of blood vessels, affecting the circulation dynamics in the body.