Which skin finding is typical in neurogenic shock?

Which skin finding is typical in neurogenic shock?

• A. Warm, dry skin
• B. Cold, clammy skin
• C. Purpuric rash
• D. Dry, cool skin

Answer: (A)

Neurogenic shock comes from loss of sympathetic tone after a spinal cord injury, usually above the level of T6. This causes widespread vasodilation and pooling of blood, so perfusion drops without the usual compensatory vasoconstriction. The result is warm, dry skin from the dilated cutaneous vessels and reduced sweating below the injury level. This contrasts with other shock types, where cold, clammy skin from vasoconstriction is more typical. Purpuric rash points to a vascular or infectious cause rather than neurogenic shock, and dry, cool skin suggests volume depletion or cardiogenic causes rather than neurogenic shock. So the warm, dry skin reflects the loss of sympathetic vasomotor tone and resulting peripheral vasodilation.

Neurogenic shock comes from loss of sympathetic tone after a spinal cord injury, usually above the level of T6. This causes widespread vasodilation and pooling of blood, so perfusion drops without the usual compensatory vasoconstriction. The result is warm, dry skin from the dilated cutaneous vessels and reduced sweating below the injury level. This contrasts with other shock types, where cold, clammy skin from vasoconstriction is more typical. Purpuric rash points to a vascular or infectious cause rather than neurogenic shock, and dry, cool skin suggests volume depletion or cardiogenic causes rather than neurogenic shock. So the warm, dry skin reflects the loss of sympathetic vasomotor tone and resulting peripheral vasodilation.