Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN) Practice Exam

In cases of distributive or neurogenic shock, the primary treatment focuses on addressing the underlying issues of hypoperfusion and vascular resistance. Volume replacement and epinephrine are vital components of this management. Volume replacement is crucial because it helps to restore intravascular volume, which can be significantly decreased in distributive shock due to vasodilation and fluid shifts. By administering fluids, the goal is to enhance the blood volume and improve cardiac output, effectively countering the effects of shock. Epinephrine plays a key role as it acts as a potent vasoconstrictor. Its administration increases peripheral vascular resistance, which is often reduced in patients experiencing distributive shock. Additionally, epinephrine enhances cardiac output and improves organ perfusion by stimulating both alpha and beta-adrenergic receptors. This dual mechanism is essential in effectively managing the states of low blood pressure and poor tissue perfusion seen in these types of shock. In contrast to the other options, which either lack the necessary components for treating distributive shock or are not relevant in this context, the combination of volume replacement and epinephrine directly targets the pathophysiological changes that occur during neurogenic and other forms of distributive shock.