What type of shock is characterized by a decreased intravascular volume?

Hypovolemic shock is characterized by a decreased intravascular volume due to significant loss of blood or fluids from the body. This can occur as a result of hemorrhage, dehydration, or severe burns, leading to insufficient blood volume to maintain adequate circulation and perfusion to vital organs.

In this condition, the body attempts to compensate for the low volume by increasing heart rate and constricting blood vessels, but these mechanisms can only maintain blood pressure and perfusion up to a point. If the volume loss is not corrected, it can lead to cellular dysfunction and ultimately organ failure.

The other types of shock, such as cardiogenic shock, obstructive shock, and distributive shock, are related to different mechanisms. Cardiogenic shock results from the heart's inability to pump effectively, obstructive shock involves a physical obstruction to blood flow (like a pulmonary embolism), and distributive shock is typically associated with severe vasodilation and loss of systemic vascular resistance (as seen in septic shock). None of these directly relate to a straightforward reduction in intravascular volume as hypovolemic shock does.