Which of the following is a common hemodynamic finding in cardiogenic shock?

• A. Pallor
• B. Agitation
• C. Tachycardia
• D. Narrow pulse pressure

Answer: (D)

In cardiogenic shock, the heart’s pumping ability is severely reduced, so cardiac output falls. The body tries to compensate with sympathetic activation, which often causes tachycardia, but the defining hemodynamic change is the drop in stroke volume leading to a lower systolic pressure while diastolic pressure is relatively preserved. This produces a narrow pulse pressure, which directly reflects the diminished forward flow and is a classic sign of cardiogenic shock. While signs like pallor or agitation can occur and tachycardia is common, the narrowed pulse pressure best captures the underlying hemodynamic pattern.