Which sign would you expect to see in late-stage hypovolemic shock?

Which sign would you expect to see in late-stage hypovolemic shock?

• A. Rapidly falling blood pressure
• B. Warm flushed skin
• C. Strong pulse
• D. Normal urine output

Answer: (A)

Late-stage hypovolemic shock shows failure of the body's compensatory mechanisms when circulating volume is critically low, leading to a sharp drop in arterial pressure. Initially, the body tries to preserve blood flow to vital organs by increasing heart rate and constricting vessels, which can keep the blood pressure from falling right away. As volume loss continues, venous return and cardiac output decline, and arterial pressure plummets. That rapidly falling blood pressure is the key sign of decompensation. Warm flushed skin would point to vasodilation seen in distributive shocks, not hypovolemic. A strong pulse would be unlikely when perfusion is failing—the pulse tends to become weak and thready. Normal urine output would be unlikely too; kidney perfusion falls and urine output decreases.

Late-stage hypovolemic shock shows failure of the body's compensatory mechanisms when circulating volume is critically low, leading to a sharp drop in arterial pressure. Initially, the body tries to preserve blood flow to vital organs by increasing heart rate and constricting vessels, which can keep the blood pressure from falling right away. As volume loss continues, venous return and cardiac output decline, and arterial pressure plummets. That rapidly falling blood pressure is the key sign of decompensation. Warm flushed skin would point to vasodilation seen in distributive shocks, not hypovolemic. A strong pulse would be unlikely when perfusion is failing—the pulse tends to become weak and thready. Normal urine output would be unlikely too; kidney perfusion falls and urine output decreases.