A 6-year-old presents with a heart rate of 170 beats/min and a blood pressure of 84/50 mmHg. He is lethargic but arousable. Capillary refill is 3 seconds centrally. His skin is warm and flushed with bounding peripheral pulses. Lungs are clear. Which type of shock MOST likely explains his findings?
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BDistributive (septic/vasodilatory) shock — warm and vasodilated
CCardiogenic shock — wet and cold
DObstructive shock — distended neck veins
✓ Correct answer: B. Distributive (septic/vasodilatory) shock — warm and vasodilatedDistributive shock (early septic shock is the classic pediatric example) produces warm, flushed skin with bounding pulses and widened pulse pressure due to pathologic vasodilation, distinguishing it from the cold, clamped extremities seen in hypovolemic or cardiogenic shock.
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