You are assessing an elderly patient with a decreased level of consciousness. Your assessment reveals the patient to have a patent airway, labored respirations, and weak, rapid pulses. The skin is pale, cool, and cyanotic in the extremities. You also observe diaphoresis and a delayed capillary refill. Vital signs for this patient are heart rate, 136 beats/min; blood pressure, 66/40 mmHg; and respirations, 40 and shallow. Auscultation of the lungs reveals profound rales located throughout each lung. The patient's temperature is 99°F and there is obvious jugular vein distention and pedal edema. Additionally, family states that the patient has an extensive cardiac and diabetic history. Based on this information, you should suspect which kind of shock?

Question

A) Cardiogenic
B) Hypovolemic
C) Hypotensive
D) Obstructive

Answer 1

A) Cardiogenic