Type of shock caused by the body's hypersensitive reaction to an antigen causing bronchospasm and vasodilation?

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

Answer: (B)

Anaphylactic shock is a distributive shock caused by a severe allergic reaction to an antigen. In this response, mast cells and basophils release large amounts of mediators like histamine, leading to widespread vasodilation and increased vascular permeability. The result is a dangerous drop in blood pressure as fluids leak into tissues, and bronchial smooth muscle constriction causes bronchospasm. This combination—rapid airway involvement plus systemic vasodilation and hypotension—fits the description of a body’s hypersensitive reaction producing both bronchospasm and widespread vasodilation.

Other shock types don’t involve this same allergen-triggered cascade. Cardiogenic shock stems from the heart’s inability to pump effectively, hypovolemic shock from severe fluid loss, and neurogenic shock from autonomic failure, which does not typically involve the acute allergen-induced bronchospasm seen in anaphylaxis.