Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) Practice Test

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The body's initial compensation for blood loss is through activation of which system?

Parasympathetic nervous system
Reticular activating system
Spinal reflex arcs
Sympathetic nervous system

The correct answer is: Sympathetic nervous system

The body's initial compensation for blood loss primarily involves the sympathetic nervous system. When there is a significant loss of blood, the sympathetic nervous system is activated to help maintain blood pressure and stabilize the body's internal environment. This activation leads to several physiological responses, including increased heart rate, constriction of peripheral blood vessels, and redistribution of blood flow to vital organs like the heart and brain. These responses are crucial in maintaining perfusion to essential systems and allowing the body to cope with the stress of blood loss. By doing so, the sympathetic nervous system helps ensure that the individual remains functional in the face of shock, delaying more severe consequences until additional interventions can be performed.