Certified Medical Assistant Practice Exam

What causes shock in the human body?

1. Excessive blood pressure

2. High blood sugar levels

3. A lack of blood flow and oxygen to body tissues

4. Overhydration

The correct answer is: A lack of blood flow and oxygen to body tissues

The correct answer is a lack of blood flow and oxygen to body tissues because shock is fundamentally a condition characterized by inadequate tissue perfusion, leading to insufficient oxygen supply to meet the metabolic demands of the body's organs. This can result from various factors, such as blood loss, fluid loss, or cardiovascular problems that decrease the heart's ability to pump blood effectively. When tissues do not receive enough blood flow, they may begin to suffer from hypoxia, which can lead to cellular damage and, if not addressed promptly, can result in organ failure. Other factors listed, like excessive blood pressure, high blood sugar levels, and overhydration, do not directly indicate shock. While these conditions can have serious health implications, they are not the primary causes of the state of shock, which directly connects to inadequate blood circulation and the resulting oxygen deprivation in body tissues.