Shock is described as life threatening medical emergency resulting from insufficient blood flow through the body (Huether & Mccance, 2012) There are five types of medical shock. These include septic shock, anaphylactic shock, cardiogenic shock, hypovolemic shock, and neurogenic shock (Huether & Mccance, 2012). Septic shock results from bacteria that multiply in the blood and then releases toxins that decrease blood pressure, thus, impairing blood flow to cells, tissues and organs. It is an acute infection, usually systemic, that overwhelms the body (toxic shock syndrome) (Huether & Mccance, 2012). This poisonous release of toxins is usually caused by pneumonia, urinary tract infection, skin infections, ruptured appendix, etc. (Shiel, 2013). Symptoms of septic shock include cool, pale arms and legs, lightheadedness, high or very low temperature, little or no urine, heart palpitations, rapid heart rate, low blood pressure, restlessness, confusion, shortness of breath and/or skin rash (Hadjiliadis, 2012). Patients that are diagnosed with septic shock are usually admitted into the intensive care unit (ICU) in the hospital where they can be monitored and treated as fast and efficiently as possible. Treatment that a patient may receive while being treated for septic shock include, breathing machine (mechanical ventilation), dialysis, drugs to treat low blood pressure, infection, or blood clotting, fluids given directly into a vein (intravenously), oxygen, sedatives, and even surgery in some cases (Hadjiliadis, 2012). Anaphylactic shock is a type of severe hypersensitivity or allergic reaction. An allergy, insect stings, medicines, foods and etc. can cause anaphylactic shock. The outpouring of histamine results in dilation of blood vessels throughout the body (Huether & Mccance, 2012). Symptoms of anaphylactic shock include abdominal
References: Dugdale, D. (2012, May 30). Anaphylactic Shock. U.S National Library of Medicine. Retrieved November 21, 2013, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/ Dugdale, D. (2012, June 22). Cardiogenic Shock. U.S National Library of Medicine. Retrieved November 23, 2013, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000185.htm Hadjiliadis, D. (2012, January 2). Septic Shock. New York Times. Retrieved November 23, 2013, from http://www.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/septic-shock/overview.html Heller, J. (2012, January 8). Hypovolemic Shock. U.S National Library of Medicine. Retrieved November 23, 2013, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/ Huether, S., & Mccance, K. (2012). Pathophysiology Online for Understanding Pathophysiology. Maryland Heights: Mosby Inc. Shiel, D. (2013, October 8). Shock (Medical) Symptoms, Causes, Treatment - What is shock? - MedicineNet. MedicineNet. Retrieved November 23, 2013, from http://www.medicinenet.com/shock/page2.h