Paramedic National Registry Practice

If a patient remains in shock for an extended period, what condition may develop?

1. Heart failure

2. Renal failure

3. Pulmonary embolism

4. Gastrointestinal bleeding

The correct answer is: Renal failure

When a patient remains in shock for an extended period, the body experiences inadequate perfusion, leading to insufficient oxygen and nutrient delivery to vital organs. This prolonged state of shock can result in systemic organ dysfunction, particularly affecting the kidneys. Renal failure is a direct consequence of the kidneys being highly sensitive to changes in blood flow. During shock, if the renal perfusion is compromised, it may lead to acute kidney injury (AKI) due to tubular ischemia and damage. The kidneys can become unable to filter waste products effectively, resulting in a build-up of toxins in the blood, which further exacerbates the patient's condition. Other options may involve serious complications, but they do not directly correlate to the primary consequence of extended shock in the same way that renal failure does. While heart failure may develop as a secondary complication in a patient with preexisting cardiac issues, it is not an immediate consequence of shock. Similarly, pulmonary embolism and gastrointestinal bleeding are potential complications, but they do not directly arise as a result of prolonged shock as renal failure does.