Question

Shock in case of burn is an example of

• A. Vasogenic Shock
• B. Septic Shock
• C. Cardiogenic Shock
• D. Hypovolaemic shock

Hint:

Remember the pathophysiology of burn shock:
Severe burn \(\rightarrow\) Cytokine release \(\rightarrow\) Systemic capillary permeability \(\rightarrow\) Plasma loss to interstitium \(\rightarrow\) Intravascular volume depletion \(\rightarrow\) Hypovolemic Shock.
Aggressive crystalloid fluid resuscitation (e.g., using the Parkland formula) is the cornerstone of early burn therapy to combat this fluid deficit.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Shock is a state of profound systemic hypoperfusion caused by a reduction in effective circulating blood volume.
In severe thermal burns, rapid and massive fluid shifts occur, leading to a critical type of circulatory shock.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Shock occurring in the acute phase of severe burns (often called burn shock) is primarily a form of hypovolemic shock.
Thermal injury causes direct, severe damage to the vascular endothelium.
This damage triggers a massive systemic release of inflammatory mediators (such as histamine, prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and cytokines).
These mediators cause a dramatic increase in capillary permeability, both locally and systemically.
Consequently, large quantities of plasma proteins (primarily albumin) leak out of the vascular compartment into the interstitial space.
This loss of intravascular oncotic pressure leads to a rapid, massive shift of fluids and electrolytes from the blood vessels into the tissues (edema).
The acute loss of circulating blood volume leads to severe hemoconcentration, decreased venous return, and a drop in cardiac output, resulting in hypovolemic shock.
While septic shock can occur as a secondary complication in late-stage burn patients due to wound infection, the primary, acute shock in burns is hypovolemic in nature.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Shock in the case of burns is a classic example of Hypovolaemic shock.