In septic shock, which skin finding is typical in the early phase?

• A. Warm, flushed skin
• B. Cold, clammy skin
• C. Pallor
• D. Jaundice

Answer: (A)

Early septic shock is a hyperdynamic state driven by inflammatory mediators that cause widespread vasodilation and maintain or even increase cardiac output. This increased peripheral blood flow makes the skin warm and flushed, even when blood pressure is low. As the shock progresses, the body often shifts to preserving core perfusion by constricting peripheral vessels, which leads to cold, clammy skin. Pallor can occur with poor perfusion but isn’t the defining early sign, and jaundice isn’t a typical acute skin finding in septic shock. So the warm, flushed skin is the characteristic early finding.