The patient experiences the following that results in neurogenic shock:

Stimulation: Sympathetic stimulation causes vascular smooth muscle to constrict,

and parasympathetic stimulation causes vascular smooth muscle to relax or dilate.

Vasodilation: The patient experiences a predominant parasympathetic stimulation

that causes vasodilation lasting for an extended period of time, leading to a relative
hypovolemic state.

Hypotenstion: Blood volume is adequate, because the vasculature is dilated; the

blood volume is displaced, producing a hypotensive (low BP) state.

Cardiovascular changes: The overriding parasympathetic stimulation that occurs

with neurogenic shock causes a drastic decrease in the patient’s systemic vascular
resistance and bradycardia.

Insufficient perfusion: Inadequate BP results in the insufficient perfusion of tissues

and cells that is common to all shock states.