Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

Which of the following injuries or conditions would be LEAST likely to result in hypovolemic shock?

1. Internal bleeding from a ruptured spleen

2. Severe burns

3. Widespread vasodilation

4. Excessive vomiting or diarrhea

The correct answer is: Widespread vasodilation

Widespread vasodilation is a condition characterized by the relaxation of blood vessels, leading to increased blood vessel diameter and a decrease in vascular resistance. This mechanism primarily causes a reduction in blood pressure but does not directly result in significant fluid loss from the body. Hypovolemic shock occurs due to a substantial decrease in blood volume, which is typically caused by conditions that lead to actual fluid loss, such as internal bleeding, severe burns, or excessive fluid loss through gastrointestinal means like vomiting and diarrhea. In contrast, internal bleeding from a ruptured spleen, severe burns, and excessive vomiting or diarrhea all lead to substantial fluid loss either through hemorrhage, damage to the skin barrier, or loss of body fluids. Each of these conditions can result in a significant reduction of circulating blood volume, directly contributing to hypovolemic shock. Understanding the physiological mechanisms behind these conditions helps highlight why widespread vasodilation stands apart as the least likely to cause this specific shock state, as it does not inherently produce an acute loss of blood volume.