Ch. 2 - Shock Flashcards
What is Shock?
It is a simple name for a complex disorder in which the circulatory system is unable to provide oxygen to the body’s tissues. When one lacks sufficient profusion and it leads to irreversible tissue damage.
What organs comprise the circulatory system? What are the main functions of the circulatory system?
The heart, the blood vessels and the blood.
The primary function is to deliver oxygen to the body’s tissues. It also transfers carbon dioxide from the cells to the lungs, keeps electrolyte balance delivers hormones, and mobilizes body defenses.
What are three main factors influencing blood pressure?
Blood volume, Cardiac output (volume of blood pumped by the heart), and the state of constriction or dilatation of the blood vessels (peripheral resistance).
What are the primary causes of Shock?
- Fluid loss
- Decreases Cardiac Output
- Blood vessel dilation
Why is FLUID LOSS a major cause of shock?
Reduced blood volume. Fluid loss includes bleeding, infections, extensive burns, and metabolic disorders.
It could also be from diarrhea, dehydration, diabetes, and hidden bleeding often from femur or pelvis.
How much blood does the average human have?
6 Liters. A 10% loss will affect blood pressure.
25% will cause moderate shock.
30% is considered serious shock.
Hypovolemic Shock is shock as a result of fluid or blood loss.
Why is DECREASED CARDIO OUTPUT a major cause of shock?
The heart could be damaged by a heart attack to the point where it cannot maintain good output (pump failure). Shock secondary to a heart attack is called Cardiogenic Shock.
Why is BLOOD VESSEL DIALATION a major cause of shock?
It causes blood pressure and profusion to decrease. If a spinal injury impacts the nerves controlling vessel diameter, they may widen and cause shock.
The main times vessel diameter causes shock is during and overwhelming infection or anaphylaxis. Shock secondary to vessel dilation is called Vasogenic Shock.
What are the signs and symptoms of shock?
Pale, cool, clammy skin, pale mucous membranes and a rapid pulse rate that may feel weak or irregular. Nausea, restlessness.
Blood is routed away from digestive tract and to vital organs, The blood pumps faster the vessels constrict.
How do you test for Shock?
Take ORTHOSTATIC VITALS! Have the patient lying flat, measure their vitals. If they don’t have injuries that prevent them from doing so, have the patient sit and then stand. A circulatory system in shock cannot compensate for the changes, They may become pale, and as heart rate increases they may get dizzy and pass out.
If their heart rate increases less than 30 bpm and the patient can tolerate standing, it is unlikely they are in shock,
How do you treat shock?
Try to get ahead of it and anticipate it, start treatment before signs and symptoms appear.
Maintain their ABCs!
Stabilize other fractures/injuries.
Then turn attention to Temperature maintenance, position, and consider fluids.
What are the evacuation criteria for shock?
Any patient whose vital signs do not stabilize or improve over time.
Any patient with decreased mental status or deteriorating vitals.
