Which type of shock is characterized by a loss of intravascular volume?

Hypovolemic shock is characterized by a significant loss of intravascular volume, which can occur due to various factors such as severe bleeding, dehydration, or fluid loss from burns. This type of shock is primarily caused by a reduction in the amount of blood circulating in the body, leading to inadequate perfusion of organs and tissues. The body attempts to compensate for the reduced blood volume, but if the loss is severe and not promptly addressed, it can result in organ failure and potentially be life-threatening.

In contrast, cardiogenic shock occurs when the heart is unable to pump effectively, often due to heart failure or myocardial infarction, rather than an issue with blood volume. Neurogenic shock results from a loss of sympathetic tone leading to vascular dilation and pooling of blood in the peripheral venous system, not from loss of blood volume. Septic shock stems from an overwhelming infection leading to vasodilation and increased capillary permeability, which does affect circulatory volume but is primarily a function of the body's response to infection rather than a direct loss of intravascular volume. Therefore, hypovolemic shock is the only type specifically defined by a loss of intravascular volume.