Question

A 50-year-old male was admitted to the intensive care unit with a diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (MI). He is being treated for shock. His cardiopulmonary symptoms include low blood pressure, tachycardia, and tachypnea. His skin is pale and cool. The primary cause of his shock is most likely:

Answer 1

Answer:

Low blood pressure

Explanation:

Answer 2

Answer:

The primary cause of this shock is most likely cardiogenic.

Explanation:

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is an emergency situation in which the ventricles of the heart fail to function adequately.

This results in an inadequate blood flow which can be clinically translated into pale and cool skin, thready pulse, hyperventilation, low urine production, low blood pressure, altered level of consciousness, etc.

Acute myocardial infarction is the most common cause of CS, though arrythmias and other cardiomyopathies can also cause CS.