Paramedic National Registry Practice

What condition may a patient with cool, clammy skin, fever, low BP, high pulse, and recent hospitalization likely have?

1. Cardiogenic Shock

2. Anaphylactic Shock

3. Septic Shock

4. Neurogenic Shock

The correct answer is: Septic Shock

The clinical presentation of cool, clammy skin, fever, low blood pressure (BP), high pulse rate, and a recent hospitalization strongly suggests septic shock. In septic shock, the body experiences a severe systemic infection, leading to widespread inflammation and vasodilation. This response can cause the blood vessels to expand, dropping blood pressure while simultaneously increasing heart rate as the body attempts to maintain adequate blood flow to vital organs. The combination of cool, clammy skin and fever indicates the body's struggle to regulate temperature and blood flow effectively. Cool, clammy skin usually results from the body diverting blood away from the extremities in response to shock. The recent hospitalization may also suggest the patient has an ongoing infection or has been treated for one, highlighting the possibility of sepsis. Fever is often seen in septic patients due to the release of pyrogens from infecting organisms or the immune response itself, making the presence of fever further supportive of this diagnosis. Together, these symptoms align well with septic shock rather than the other types of shock mentioned. In contrast, cardiogenic shock typically presents with signs of heart failure rather than fever, while anaphylactic shock would present with hives, swelling, and respiratory distress due to an allergic reaction. Neurogenic