Ch 18 Recognition and Care Of shock Flashcards
What is shock (also known as HYPO-PERFUSION)?
Shock is when the circulation system of the body (circulatory system) fails to proves enough oxygen rich blood and nutrients to all vital organs.
This can lead to death if untreated.
Shock is like dry drowning…due to lack of oxygen.
What is perfusion?
It’s when the body is a sufficient amount of well-oxygenated blood. This process also removes waste products from the bodies tissues (especially vital organs).
Failure of this process is known as shock. (Insufficient amount of oxygenated blood being pumped).
What are the signs and symptoms of shock?
Increased pulse rate (because body is trying to pump faster to compensate for low levels of oxygen).
Increased breathing rate (because body is desperately low on oxygen and is trying to manually obtain more through the lungs to be absorbed into the bloodstream and distributed to the body).
Restlessness or combativeness (mental reaction to the uncomfortable feeling of shock?)
Pale cool moist skin (pale because oxygen levels are low in blood,
cool?
moist ?
Thirst, weakness, dizzy, vomiting, loss of responsiveness.
There are many types of shocks but each one falls into one of 4 MAIN CATEGORIES. What are they?
Cardiogenic shock occurs heart is unable to heart pump oxygenated blood with enough pressure to all vital organs. A heart attack can cause the heart to weaken or damage which eventually will cause oxygen levels to deplete (shock).
Hypovolemic shock happens when there is a LOW VOLUME of overall fluid volume in the body. This will cause blood pressure to drop and oxygen to be carried slower. Shock will set in when oxygen levels are no longer sufficient.
Distributive shock happens when blood vessels dilate (causing much larger space than available blood can fill). Blood travels through vessels so vessels that are too big for blood to fill them will cause blood pressure to drop. Low pressure means pump (heart) won’t be as effective so the blood travels at a slower rate and shock eventually sets in. Like trying to fill a balloon by blowing into a straw with a hole in it…
Obstructive shock happens when something is blocking the blood from flowing to the lungs hearts or other important large vessels. No blood flow to those areas means no oxygen is coming or going to that area. Eventually oxygen levels will plummet and shock sets in.
Why is it important to begin care for shock if the mechanism of injury suggest internal injury or bleeding?
Because loss of blood results in loss of oxygen which results in loss of vital organs which results in loss of life!
Shock must be taken into account for suspected internal bleeding and increasing a patients oxygen levels from the natural 21% to 100% may greatly effect their health (bleeding still needs to be tended too though).
Should you wait for signs or symptoms of shock to occur before you treat it?
No, because shock is progressive with time. Example: You may also neglect shock and realize the patients oxygen levels are low too late due internal bleeding after you had mistakenly labeled him as okay. Patients heart stops before oxygen is administered and now your racing the clock.
Patients need oxygen so it’s better to be safe then sorry if you suspect low oxygen levels.
How do you care for shock?
Support the ABCs Keep patient lying flat Control all external bleeding Administer oxygen if allowed Maintain normal body temp TRANSPORT!
