Session 12

Question 0

Describe the characteristics of hypovolaemic shock

Answer 0

Loss of circulating fluid volume e.g. haemorrhage.
Venous pressure falls –> cardiac output falls.
Treatment - infusing fluid, colloid/blood

Question 1

Describe the essential characteristics of shock

Answer 1

It is used to describe acute circulatory failure with either inadequate or inappropriately distributed tissue perfusion, resulting in generalised lack of oxygen supply to cells

Question 2

Describe the characteristics of cardiogenic shock

Answer 2

The inability of the heart to eject enough blood e.g. ischaemic cardiac damage, arrhythmias.

Question 3

Describe the characteristics of mechanical shock

Answer 3

A restriction on filling of the heart e.g. cardiac tamponade (pressure outside heart impairs filling).
Obstruction to blood flow through the lungs e.g. pulmonary embolism (RV cannot empty, reduced return to LA)

Question 4

Describe the characteristics of anaphylactic shock

Answer 4

Uncontrolled falls in peripheral resistance, dramatic drop in arterial pressure due to release of histamine from mast cells (profound vasodilation).
Treatment - adrenaline

Question 5

Describe the characteristics of septic (‘toxic’) shock

Answer 5

Uncontrolled falls in peripheral resistance, dramatic drop in arterial pressure due to endotoxins released by circulating bacteria (profound peripheral vasodilation)
Treatment - adrenaline, antibiotics