Paramedic National Registry Practice

In emergency medicine, what is the primary goal when treating patients with obstructive shock?

1. Restore fluid volume

2. Remove the obstruction

3. Decrease blood pressure

4. Enhance heart rate

The correct answer is: Remove the obstruction

The primary goal when treating patients with obstructive shock is to remove the obstruction. Obstructive shock occurs when there is a physical blockage in the circulation, which prevents adequate blood flow to the body’s tissues. This can be due to various reasons, such as tension pneumothorax, cardiac tamponade, or pulmonary embolism. Treating obstructive shock focuses on identifying and addressing the specific cause of the obstruction. For instance, if the obstruction is due to a tension pneumothorax, decompression of the pleural space might be necessary. If the cause is a cardiac tamponade, procedures to drain the fluid around the heart may be required. By removing the obstruction and restoring normal circulation, the tissue perfusion can improve, which is crucial for the survival and recovery of the patient. Other options, such as restoring fluid volume, decreasing blood pressure, or enhancing heart rate, are not the primary focus in the context of obstructive shock. These may be relevant in different types of shock but do not directly address the critical issue of the obstruction that must be resolved to restore hemodynamic stability.