Free BCEN Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) Practice Question

The correct answer is True. Neurogenic shock is a unique form of distributive shock that occurs due to the disruption of the autonomic nervous system, typically following a spinal cord injury. Unlike other forms of shock, neurogenic shock is characterized by two key features: bradycardia (slow heart rate) and hypotension (low blood pressure). This combination occurs because the sympathetic nervous system loses its ability to maintain vascular tone and heart rate, while the parasympathetic system remains intact. The loss of sympathetic stimulation leads to vasodilation and decreased cardiac output, resulting in hypotension. Simultaneously, the unopposed parasympathetic activity causes bradycardia. It's important to note that this differs from other types of shock, which typically present with tachycardia (rapid heart rate) as a compensatory mechanism. Understanding these unique characteristics is crucial for emergency nurses to quickly identify and appropriately manage patients with neurogenic shock.