Shock

Shock -The body's pathological response to illness, trauma or severe psychological or emotional stress.

Shock is a general term that indicates a failure of the circulatory system to support vital body functions.

 

A clinical picture of shock:

  1. Skin is cold and clammy
  2. Decreased urine output
  3. Increased respirations
  4. Normal BP
  5. Anxiety levels increase, may become uncooperative
  1. BP drops precipitously (rapidly)
  2. Respiration becomes rapid and shallow
  3. Severe pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs) results from leakage of fluid from pulmonary capillaries
  4. Tachycardia (radid heartbeat) of up to 150 bpm
  5. Pt may complain of chest pain

Mental status changes are subtle at first, progressing from confusion to lethargy (state of sluggishness or inactivity) and later to unconsciousness