Free BCEN Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) Practice Question

The correct answer is 'Hypovolemic shock.' This is because the patient's history of severe diarrhea and vomiting likely led to a significant loss of fluids and electrolytes, reducing blood volume, which typically causes hypovolemic shock. Hypovolemic shock is characterized by signs such as rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure, and cold, clammy skin due to reduced circulation. In contrast, distributive shock involves a problem with vascular tone and often presents with warm, flushed skin as seen in septic shock. Cardiogenic shock, attributable to heart failure, typically presents with symptoms related to cardiac dysfunction and not primarily due to fluid loss. Neurogenic shock, caused by spinal cord or nervous system injuries, results in blood vessel dilation that would not commonly be associated with diarrhea and vomiting.