What is the most common form of distributive shock?

• A. Septic
• B. Anaphylactic
• C. Hypovolemic
• D. Cardiogenic

Answer: (A)

Distributive shock is when widespread vasodilation and maldistribution of the circulating blood volume reduce venous return and tissue perfusion, even if the total blood volume is normal. The most common form of this type is septic shock, which stems from infection triggering a systemic inflammatory response. Inflammation releases mediators that cause blood vessels to dilate and the capillaries to become more leaky, so blood pools in the periphery and the effective circulating volume drops. This leads to hypotension and impaired organ perfusion, especially early on when the skin may feel warm and flushed due to vasodilation, followed by potential cool, mottled skin as shock progresses. While anaphylactic and neurogenic shocks are also distributive, they occur less frequently than septic shock. Hypovolemic and cardiogenic shocks are not distributive—they arise from actual volume loss or pump failure, respectively.