ARRT Patient Care Practice Exam

The type of shock associated with pooling of blood in the peripheral vessels is classified as:

1. neurogenic

2. cardiogenic

3. hypovolemic

4. septic

The correct answer is: neurogenic

The type of shock associated with pooling of blood in the peripheral vessels is neurogenic shock. Neurogenic shock occurs when there is a disruption in the sympathetic nervous system, often due to spinal cord injuries, which results in a loss of vascular tone. This leads to widespread vasodilation and the pooling of blood in the peripheral vasculature, causing insufficient blood flow to vital organs and potentially leading to organ dysfunction. In contrast, cardiogenic shock is characterized by the heart's inability to pump effectively, while hypovolemic shock results from a significant loss of blood or fluids leading to decreased circulating volume. Septic shock involves a severe infection that causes systemic inflammation and vasodilation, but it is primarily due to infection rather than a direct failure of the nervous system.