Question

A 36-year-old unrestrained driver involved in a motor vehicle crash is complaining of sternal chest pain. Your scene size-up reveals a bent steering wheel and no airbag. On exam you notice an anxious man with an intact but tender rib cage and no other indications of internal or external bleeding. His vital signs are as follows: pulse of 88/min, weak and thready; respirations of 32/min, shallow with guarded respirations; and blood pressure of 92/68 mm Hg. Cyanosis is noted in his lips and fingers. You suspect this patient is experiencing what type of shock?
A) cardiogenic
B) anaphylactic
C) metabolic
D) respiratory

Answer 1

Answer:

The asnwer is A) cardiogenic

Explanation:

Patient with severe anterior chest trauma with 88 pulse per minute, tachypneic, 92/68 pressure and peripheral cyanosis is presenting a cardiogenic shock. We talk about cardiogenic shock when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to the entire body that is needs to. It is caused by serious cardiac complications, such as severe trauma to the heart with damage to its structures, such as tendons, cardiac muscles or wall, and also the accumulation of fluid around it (cardiac tamponade).