Progressive Care Nursing Certification (PCCN) Practice Exam

What vital signs are typically present in a patient with neurogenic shock?

1. Tachycardia and hypotension

2. Tachycardia and mental status change

3. Bradycardia and hypotension

4. Bradycardia and hypertension

The correct answer is: Bradycardia and hypotension

In neurogenic shock, the primary physiological response is a disruption in autonomic regulation due to spinal cord injury or dysfunction. This results in loss of sympathetic tone, leading to specific vital sign changes. Bradycardia is commonly present in neurogenic shock due to unopposed parasympathetic activity. The loss of sympathetic outflow allows the vagus nerve's influence to predominate, which can decrease heart rate. Hypotension is also characteristic because the vasodilation occurs due to the lack of sympathetic stimulation, leading to reduced systemic vascular resistance. As a result, blood pressure drops, contributing to the overall clinical picture of neurogenic shock. Thus, bradycardia and hypotension are the vital signs that typically present in this condition, clearly indicating the disruption in normal cardiovascular responses that occur with neurogenic shock.