Question

Neurogenic shock, or spinal shock, is a phenomenon caused by the inability of the vasomotor center in the brain stem to control blood vessel tone through the sympathetic outflow to the blood vessels. which physiologic responses best represent clinical findings associated with spinal shock?

Answer 1

In neurogenic shock, the characteristic mechanism is the reduction of sympathetic outflow from the brainstem leading to the decreased in the blood vessel tone and eventually vasodilation. In the presence of vasodilation, there will be decreased blood pressure and eventually shock. Since there is reduced sympathetic outflow, there will also be a decreased heart rate, warm skin (from the vasodilation), and dry skin (from the reduced cholinergic stimulation of the sweat glands).