Enhance your trauma care skills with the Platinum Trauma Exam. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions with hints and explanations. Prepare now!

Multiple Choice

Which statement best characterizes the vascular status in neurogenic shock?

Loss of sympathetic vascular tone from spinal injury causes widespread vasodilation, lowering systemic vascular resistance and often leading to hypotension. The dilated vessels bring more warm blood to the skin, so it feels warm and dry rather than cool and clammy. Tachycardia is not typical; bradycardia from unopposed parasympathetic activity can occur. Edema with pallor isn’t the defining feature early on. So, the vascular status is best described as warm, dry skin due to vasodilation.

Loss of sympathetic vascular tone from spinal injury causes widespread vasodilation, lowering systemic vascular resistance and often leading to hypotension. The dilated vessels bring more warm blood to the skin, so it feels warm and dry rather than cool and clammy. Tachycardia is not typical; bradycardia from unopposed parasympathetic activity can occur. Edema with pallor isn’t the defining feature early on. So, the vascular status is best described as warm, dry skin due to vasodilation.