Shock Recognition Flashcards

A cyclist is brought in after a high-speed crash with suspected pelvic fracture. He is diaphoretic, HR 136, BP 74/50. What type of shock is MOST likely?

Answer: Hemorrhagic shock

Pelvic fractures can cause massive retroperitoneal hemorrhage, making hemorrhagic shock the most likely etiology.

Which laboratory value is the BEST early marker of tissue hypoperfusion in shock?

Answer: Serum lactate

Elevated serum lactate reflects anaerobic metabolism from tissue hypoperfusion and is an early, sensitive marker of shock severity.

During the compensatory phase of shock, the body attempts to maintain perfusion by:

Answer: Activating the sympathetic nervous system

Sympathetic nervous system activation causes vasoconstriction, increased heart rate, and redistributed blood flow to maintain perfusion to vital organs.

A patient presents with JVD, muffled heart sounds, and hypotension after a penetrating chest wound. This triad is known as:

Answer: Beck's triad

Beck's triad — JVD, muffled heart sounds, and hypotension — is the classic presentation of cardiac tamponade causing obstructive shock.

In a pediatric trauma patient, which of the following is a LATE sign of hemorrhagic shock?

Answer: Hypotension

Children have robust compensatory mechanisms and can maintain normal blood pressure until 25–30% of blood volume is lost, making hypotension a late and ominous sign.

The primary goal of permissive hypotension in hemorrhagic shock management is to:

Answer: Prevent dilutional coagulopathy and avoid clot disruption

Allowing a lower-than-normal BP prevents dislodging forming clots and diluting clotting factors, reducing ongoing hemorrhage.

Which assessment finding BEST indicates that a trauma patient's shock is being adequately resuscitated?

Answer: Urine output of 0.5–1 mL/kg/hr is established

Adequate urine output (0.5–1 mL/kg/hr) reflects restored renal perfusion and is a reliable endpoint for resuscitation.