Florida State Paramedic Practice Exam

If a patient presents with low blood pressure, tachycardia, pale cool moist skin, and crackles in the lungs, what type of shock is most likely?

1. Hypovolemic Shock

2. Anaphylactic Shock

3. Cardiogenic Shock

4. Neurogenic Shock

The correct answer is: Cardiogenic Shock

The most likely type of shock in a patient presenting with low blood pressure, tachycardia, pale cool moist skin, and crackles in the lungs is cardiogenic shock. This condition is a result of the heart's inability to pump effectively, often due to a myocardial infarction (heart attack) or other heart-related issues. In cardiogenic shock, the inadequate output from the heart leads to decreased perfusion to the body tissues, resulting in the low blood pressure observed. The body's compensatory mechanisms, such as tachycardia, kick in to help maintain perfusion despite the heart's impaired function. Cool, moist skin occurs due to peripheral vasoconstriction as blood is redirected to vital organs, and crackles in the lungs indicate pulmonary congestion, which occurs when blood backs up into the pulmonary circulation due to the heart's failure to pump effectively. Understanding the physiological responses in cardiogenic shock helps in recognizing the serious nature of the condition. Treatment often focuses on improving cardiac output and may involve medications, fluid management, and sometimes advanced interventions, depending on the underlying cause.