Pulmonary edema and breathing difficulties are most characteristic of which shock type?

• A. Septic shock
• B. Neurogenic shock
• C. Anaphylactic shock
• D. Cardiogenic shock

Answer: (D)

Pulmonary edema and breathing difficulties point to the heart’s inability to pump effectively, causing a backup of pressure into the lungs. In cardiogenic shock, the failing pump raises left-sided filling pressures, leading fluid to transude into the alveoli. This fluid buildup impairs gas exchange, produces dyspnea, crackles on exam, and often pink, frothy sputum. That lung congestion is the hallmark feature that sets cardiogenic shock apart from the other shocks, where the primary issues are vasodilation or airway reactiveness rather than pump failure.