Nursing · Critical Care

Critical Care Nursing: Hemodynamics and Shock

Shock types, hemodynamic monitoring parameters, and vasoactive drip titration concepts for the ICU nurse.

40 cards · basic cards · AI-written, checked twice. Edit anything.

Study this set free Get FlashKeepers for iPhone
What is the clinical definition of shock?
A state in which tissue perfusion and oxygen delivery are inadequate to meet the body's metabolic demands.
What are the four major categories of shock?
Hypovolemic, cardiogenic, distributive, and obstructive.
What is the primary cause of hypovolemic shock?
A significant loss of intravascular volume (blood or fluid), reducing preload.
What is the primary cause of cardiogenic shock?
Failure of the heart to pump effectively, reducing cardiac output.
What is the primary mechanism behind distributive shock?
Massive vasodilation causing a relative loss of vascular tone and maldistribution of blood flow.
What is the primary mechanism behind obstructive shock?
A physical obstruction blocks blood flow into or out of the heart, reducing cardiac output.
Name three classic causes of obstructive shock.
Tension pneumothorax, cardiac tamponade, and massive pulmonary embolism.
Septic shock is a subtype of which category of shock?
Distributive shock.
What typically causes neurogenic shock?
A spinal cord injury (often above T6) that disrupts sympathetic outflow.
What is the classic hemodynamic sign of neurogenic shock, unlike other shock types?
Bradycardia with hypotension and warm, dry skin, from unopposed parasympathetic tone.
What is the underlying mechanism of anaphylactic shock?
An IgE-mediated allergic reaction triggers massive histamine release, causing vasodilation and capillary leak.
What three findings make up Beck's triad, seen in cardiac tamponade?
Hypotension, jugular venous distension, and muffled heart sounds.
What is pulsus paradoxus?
An exaggerated drop, greater than 10 mmHg, in systolic blood pressure during inspiration.
In early (warm) septic shock, what is the typical hemodynamic profile?
High or normal cardiac output with low systemic vascular resistance.
In cardiogenic shock, what is the typical hemodynamic profile?
Low cardiac output, high systemic vascular resistance, and high PAWP.

25 more cards in the app