American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Certification Practice Test

Which type of shock carries the highest risk for disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)?

1. Hypovolemic shock

2. Cardiogenic shock

3. Septic shock

4. Neurogenic shock

The correct answer is: Septic shock

Septic shock carries the highest risk for disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) due to the underlying mechanisms associated with sepsis. In septic shock, the body experiences a systemic inflammatory response triggered by an infection, often leading to the release of various inflammatory mediators and thrombotic factors. The presence of bacteria or their toxins in the bloodstream activates the coagulation cascade, which can lead to the formation of microthrombi throughout the vasculature. This process significantly disrupts normal clotting mechanisms. The consumption of clotting factors and platelets can then lead to a paradoxical increased risk of bleeding, which is characteristic of DIC. In contrast, while hypovolemic shock, cardiogenic shock, and neurogenic shock can lead to significant complications, they do not have the same strong association with the development of DIC as seen in septic shock. Hypovolemic shock primarily involves insufficient blood volume and does not involve the same inflammatory processes. Cardiogenic shock may lead to organ ischemia due to inadequate circulation but is not directly linked to the coagulopathy seen in DIC. Neurogenic shock, primarily a result of spinal cord injury, disrupts autonomic control but does not provoke the systemic inflammatory response associated with