Florida State Paramedic Practice Exam

Which condition is indicated by low blood pressure, tachycardia, pale cool moist skin, and clear lung sounds?

1. Cardiogenic Shock

2. Hypovolemic Shock

3. Septic Shock

4. Neurogenic Shock

The correct answer is: Hypovolemic Shock

Low blood pressure, tachycardia, pale cool moist skin, and clear lung sounds indicate a state of inadequate perfusion and volume depletion, which are classic signs of hypovolemic shock. This condition occurs when there is a significant loss of blood volume, often due to hemorrhage or severe dehydration, leading to inadequate circulation and oxygen delivery to tissues. The low blood pressure results from reduced blood volume, while the compensatory tachycardia is the body's attempt to maintain cardiac output despite the decrease in stroke volume. Pale, cool, and moist skin are signs of peripheral vasoconstriction as the body shunts blood away from the skin to preserve perfusion to vital organs. Clear lung sounds suggest that there is no fluid accumulation in the lungs, which would indicate other types of shock, such as cardiogenic shock, where lung congestion typically occurs. Understanding these physiological responses helps clarify why hypovolemic shock is indicated by the combination of symptoms presented in this scenario. In contrast to other types of shock, like septic and neurogenic shock, which involve different pathophysiological mechanisms and could present with other findings such as warm skin in septic shock or altered mental status in neurogenic shock, the signs here are consistent with hypovole