Shock due to loss of fluid volume is called what?

• A. Cardiogenic shock
• B. Septic shock
• C. Hypovolemic shock
• D. Obstructive shock

Answer: (C)

Shock from loss of circulating fluid volume is hypovolemic shock. When a large volume of blood or body fluids is lost, there isn’t enough preload for the heart to pump effectively, so stroke volume and cardiac output fall and blood pressure drops. This leads to reduced tissue perfusion and rapid organ risk if not corrected. Common causes include external bleeding, severe dehydration from vomiting or diarrhea, burns, or internal bleeding. It’s different from cardiogenic shock, where the heart’s pumping ability is impaired; septic shock, where infection causes widespread vasodilation and maldistribution of blood flow; and obstructive shock, where something blocks blood flow to or from the heart.