Final answer:
Intravenous antibiotic therapy would be indicated for distributive shock, particularly due to septic shock, which is caused by a systemic bacterial infection leading to widespread circulatory changes.
Step-by-step explanation:
For which of the following types of shock might intravenous antibiotic therapy be indicated? The answer is b) Distributive shock, specifically when it is a result of an infection such as septic shock.
Distributive shock, including septic shock, happens when there is a widespread dilation of the small arterioles, small venules, or both. The condition is caused by factors like severe allergic reactions, severe infections (sepsis), or spinal cord injury. In the case of sepsis, the causative mechanism is a systemic bacterial infection leading to an inflammatory response throughout the body.
Treatment for septic shock typically involves intravenous antibiotics to combat the infection, alongside fluid resuscitation and vasopressor agents to improve vascular tone and maintain blood pressure. As such, intravenous antibiotics are crucial for treating the underlying infection that leads to the vasodilation characteristic of this type of shock.