What physiological change is common in septic shock?

In septic shock, systemic vasodilation is a hallmark physiological change. This occurs as a result of the body's response to infection, where inflammatory mediators are released, causing blood vessels to dilate. This vasodilation leads to a decrease in systemic vascular resistance, which can result in a drop in blood pressure.

Even though the heart may initially increase its output to compensate for the decrease in vascular resistance, this compensatory mechanism may not be sufficient as the shock progresses. The result is that, initially, the body attempts to maintain blood flow to vital organs, but systemic vasodilation continues to challenge this balance.

Recognizing systemic vasodilation is crucial for understanding the pathophysiology of septic shock, as it explains the variable blood pressure and often leads to the clinical challenge of providing adequate perfusion to organs. This change directly contrasts with other options, such as decreased heart rate or increased blood pressure, which do not align with the physiological reactions to septic shock in most clinical scenarios.