Module 4 Flashcards
What is shock?
A generalised state of hypotension or the inability of the circulation to adequately perfuse the tissues of the body. Shock is a cascade of events due to decreased perfusion.
What is perfusion?
Adequate supply of oxygen and nutrients to the cells.
What is hypoperfusion?
Any malfunction that causes a decrease in cellular oxygen.
What is needed for adequate perfusion?
- Heart: Sufficiently pumps fluid
- Blood Vessels: Maintains integrity and enables blood flow
- Lungs: Adequately on/off loads oxygen
What is cardiac output and how do you calculate it? Additionally what variables need to be considered?
The amount of blood pumped out by the ventricles in one minute.
Cardiac output = Heart Rate x Stroke Volume*
*Stroke volume is the amount the ventricles in one contraction. The healthy average adult is 70ml.
Variables to be considered are Strength and rate of the contraction and the volume of venous return to the ventricles (pre-load).
What is starling’s law?
The greater the preload, the greater the stretch on the heart, and therefore the greater the strength of the contracts.
^ Preload = ^ Stretch on heart = ^ strength of contractions
Define Preload.
The amount of blood returning to the ventricles; it’s the end diastolic volume (EDV).
Define Afterload.
is the amount of pressure that the heart needs to exert to eject the blood during ventricular contraction.
What is mean arterial pressure and how do you calculate it?
The mean value of the blood pressure in the arterial portion of the circulation.
Diastolic BP x2 + Systolic ÷ 3 = mean arterial pressure
How do you calculate pulse pressure?
Systolic BP – diastolic PB
Why is mean arterial pressure an important consideration for paramedics?
Cerebral perfusion in head/brain trauma
Why do patients in the early stages of shock have pale, sweaty skin, and a rapid, thready pulse?
Lack of perfusion to extremities due to sphincteral contractions redistributing blood to vital organs. Rapid pulse is due to stroke volume dropping.
What is DIC and what causes this condition?
Disseminated intravascular coagulation – cause by stagnant blood in the capillary bed
What are Rouleaux formations?
When stagnant the erythrocytes become sticky and stick together causing obstruction of capillaries. This decreases tissue perfusion, resulting in cell necrosis.
What causes organ failure in Shock?
Obstructed capillaries leading to micro-infarct within the organs.
What are the three broad categories/stages of shock?
Compensated shock: there is some decreased blood flow and perfusion to tissues. Initial signs and symptoms increase pulse, BP, RR, HR, pale cool clammy, GCS – normal but potentially agitated or confused.
*children stay in this phase longer than adults however they crash into irreversible sock much quicker than adults
Decompensated shock: compensatory mechanisms fail and SBP can no longer be maintained. Falling BP, tachycardia, pale clammy cold, altered conscious stage.
Irreversible shock: there is cellular ischemia and necrosis and subsequent organ failure.