Neurogenic shock is characterized by

• A. High fever
• B. Rapid, irregular breathing
• C. can occur after injuries to the cns, resulting in low blood pressure
• D. High blood pressure due to epinephrine surge

Answer: (C)

Neurogenic shock happens when a CNS injury disrupts the autonomic pathways that normally maintain vascular tone. Without sympathetic tone, the blood vessels dilate (vasodilation), causing a drop in systemic vascular resistance and resulting in low blood pressure. The heart may beat more slowly because the sympathetic input to the heart is diminished. This combination—CNS injury leading to hypotension due to loss of vascular tone—is what defines neurogenic shock.

That’s why the description stating it can occur after injuries to the CNS and results in low blood pressure fits best. Other options don’t align: high fever isn’t a hallmark, rapid, irregular breathing isn’t specific to neurogenic shock, and hypertension from an epinephrine surge is the opposite of what happens in neurogenic shock.