Final answer:
During the compensatory stage of hypovolemic shock, sympathetic nervous system activation leads to vasoconstriction in the skin, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract to preserve blood flow to vital organs such as the heart and brain. The correct options are (a) skin, (d) kidneys, and (e) gastrointestinal tract.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the compensatory stage of hypovolemic shock, the sympathetic nervous system activates α-adrenergic stimulation, leading to a series of physiologic responses to maintain perfusion to essential organs. Blood flow decreases in areas less critical for immediate survival. Specifically, vasoconstriction occurs primarily in the blood vessels leading to the skin, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract. This response is crucial as it helps to redirect blood flow toward organs that are vital for acute survival, such as the heart and brain.
In terms of the options given, blood flow would decrease to the skin, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract after α-adrenergic stimulation by the sympathetic nervous system during hypovolemic shock. The flow of blood to the brain remains largely unchanged, and the blood supply to the heart may actually increase due to selective vasodilation in an attempt to maintain cardiac output. Therefore, the correct selections are (a) skin, (d) kidneys and (e) gastrointestinal tract.