North Carolina EMT State Practice Exam

What is a primary risk factor that leads to distributive shock?

1. Burns

2. Cardiac event

3. Sepsis

4. Severe dehydration

The correct answer is: Sepsis

Distributive shock occurs when there is widespread vasodilation, leading to a decrease in systemic vascular resistance, which results in inadequate blood flow and oxygen delivery to the body's tissues. Sepsis is a significant cause of distributive shock due to the body's overwhelming response to infection, leading to the release of inflammatory mediators that cause vasodilation and increased capillary permeability. This results in the pooling of blood in the peripheral tissues and a subsequent drop in blood pressure. In the case of sepsis, there is often associated infection that can progress to septic shock, characterized by profound circulatory, cellular, and metabolic abnormalities. This direct correlation emphasizes sepsis as a primary risk factor for developing distributive shock, distinguishing it from other causes. Burns, while they can lead to shock, typically result in hypovolemic shock due to fluid loss rather than the vasodilation seen in distributive shock. Cardiac events can lead to cardiogenic shock, which is caused by the heart's inability to pump effectively. Severe dehydration primarily leads to hypovolemic shock due to loss of circulating volume. These variations in mechanisms highlight why sepsis stands out as a key risk factor for distributive shock.