Which description best characterizes hypovolemic shock?

Which description best characterizes hypovolemic shock?

• A. Edema from fluid overload
• B. Reduced blood volume
• C. Increased cardiac output
• D. Enhanced venous return

Answer: (B)

Hypovolemic shock is defined by a reduction in circulating blood volume. When fluid is lost from the intravascular space—through hemorrhage, severe dehydration, burns, or diarrhea—the amount of blood returning to the heart (venous return) drops. That lowers preload, which decreases stroke volume and overall cardiac output, leading to inadequate tissue perfusion and hypotension. Edema from fluid overload would indicate excess volume, not the loss of circulating volume seen here. Increased cardiac output wouldn’t characterize this type of shock, because the heart’s ability to pump is limited by the reduced filling from low volume. Enhanced venous return would mean more blood returning to the heart, which isn’t the case in hypovolemia. So reduced blood volume best describes hypovolemic shock.

Hypovolemic shock is defined by a reduction in circulating blood volume. When fluid is lost from the intravascular space—through hemorrhage, severe dehydration, burns, or diarrhea—the amount of blood returning to the heart (venous return) drops. That lowers preload, which decreases stroke volume and overall cardiac output, leading to inadequate tissue perfusion and hypotension. Edema from fluid overload would indicate excess volume, not the loss of circulating volume seen here. Increased cardiac output wouldn’t characterize this type of shock, because the heart’s ability to pump is limited by the reduced filling from low volume. Enhanced venous return would mean more blood returning to the heart, which isn’t the case in hypovolemia. So reduced blood volume best describes hypovolemic shock.