
The signs and symptoms of compensated shock include:
- Restlessness, agitation and anxiety – the earliest signs of hypoxia
- Pallor and clammy skin – this occurs because of microcirculation
- Nausea and vomiting – decrease in blood flow to the GI system
- Thirst
- Delayed capillary refill
- Narrowing pulse pressure
- Cool extremities.
- Weak thready peripheral pulse.
- Delayed capillary refill.
- Tachycardia in the absence of fever.
- Narrowing pulse pressure (PP)
What are the signs and symptoms of compensated shock?
The signs and symptoms of compensated shock include: Restlessness, agitation and anxiety – the earliest signs of hypoxia Pallor and clammy skin – this occurs because of microcirculation Nausea and vomiting – decrease in blood flow to the GI system
Which physical findings are characteristic of decompensated shock?
Patients with decompensated shock have cold, clammy extremities; a feeble or absent peripheral pulse; severe tachycardia (or bradycardia in late shock); a PP < 20 mm Hg; or a low systolic blood pressure (SBP) for age. Unfortunately, compensated shock is sometimes not recognized because patients are not frankly hypotensive.
Why does blood pressure increase in compensated shock?
This process actually increases the blood pressure initially because there is less room within the circulatory system. The signs and symptoms of compensated shock include: Restlessness, agitation and anxiety – the earliest signs of hypoxia Pallor and clammy skin – this occurs because of microcirculation
What is decompensated shock and how is it treated?
Decompensated shock is defined as “the late phase of shock in which the body’s compensatory mechanisms (such as increased heart rate, vasoconstriction, increased respiratory rate) are unable to maintain adequate perfusion to the brain and vital organs.” It occurs when the blood volume decreases by more than 30%.

What indicates shock compensation?
The signs and symptoms of compensated shock include: Restlessness, agitation and anxiety – the earliest signs of hypoxia. Pallor and clammy skin – this occurs because of microcirculation. Nausea and vomiting – decrease in blood flow to the GI system.
What are typical clinical findings with compensated shock?
Decreased level of consciousness, decreased urine output, low to normal blood pressure, tachycardia, and tachypnea are common symptoms.
What is the difference between compensated shock decompensated and terminal shock?
In the compensated stage, the patient is able to maintain oxygen delivery to tissues to preserve cellular metabolism. Without intervention, compensation fails, and progression to decompensated shock occurs. The terminal stage of decompensated shock is irreversible and leads to cardiovascular collapse and death.
What causes compensated shock?
Compensated shock occurs when the dysfunction of the heart, blood vessels, or blood volume can be covered by one of the other systems. The heart does this by increasing the rate at which it pumps blood and the blood vessels can clamp down (vasoconstriction) and increase the amount of pressure that reaches the organs.
Which shock is hardest to identify?
Distributive shock is difficult to recognize because the signs and symptoms vary greatly depending on the etiology. Common symptoms include tachypnea, tachycardia, low to normal blood pressure, decreased urine output, and decreased level of consciousness.
How is traumatic shock diagnosed?
There are numerous physical and emotional signs and symptoms of traumatic shock as our bodies respond in a number of ways,3 says Dr. Burwell....Physical SymptomsA sudden decrease in blood flow.Dilated pupils.Irregular heartbeat.Lightheadedness.Nausea.Muscle tension.Difficulty moving or functioning.Unconsciousness.
Which of the following signs would you most likely observe in a patient with compensated shock?
Which of the following signs would you MOST likely observe in a patient with compensated shock? Anxiety or agitation. You are treating a 20-year-old man with a large laceration involving the brachial artery.
What are the three classifications of shock?
The main types of shock include: Cardiogenic shock (due to heart problems) Hypovolemic shock (caused by too little blood volume) Anaphylactic shock (caused by allergic reaction)
What is compensated vs decompensated?
Compensated: When you don't have any symptoms of the disease, you're considered to have compensated cirrhosis. Decompensated: When your cirrhosis has progressed to the point that the liver is having trouble functioning and you start having symptoms of the disease, you're considered to have decompensated cirrhosis.
Is compensated shock reversible?
Circulatory shock leads to cellular and tissue hypoxia resulting in cellular death and dysfunction of vital organs. Effects of shock are reversible in the early stages, and a delay in diagnosis and/or timely initiation of treatment can lead to irreversible changes, including multiorgan failure (MOF) and death.
What are 2 of the most common causes for shock?
Shock may result from trauma, heatstroke, blood loss, an allergic reaction, severe infection, poisoning, severe burns or other causes. When a person is in shock, his or her organs aren't getting enough blood or oxygen. If untreated, this can lead to permanent organ damage or even death.
What causes heart rate increase in compensated shock?
Epinephrine increases heart rate, makes the heart beat harder and constricts the blood vessels. This allows the body to maintain blood pressure and vital organ perfusion. This early stage of shock is called compensated shock.
Which of the following signs would you most likely observe in a patient with compensated shock?
Which of the following signs would you MOST likely observe in a patient with compensated shock? Anxiety or agitation. You are treating a 20-year-old man with a large laceration involving the brachial artery.
When a client is in the compensatory stage of shock which symptom occurs?
When the patient has entered the compensatory stage, symptoms may include an altered level of consciousness; sinus tachycardia; the presence of an S3 or S4 gallop rhythm; jugular venous distention; hypotension; rapid, deep respirations; pulmonary crackles; venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) less than 60%; cyanosis; urine ...
What are the clinical indicators for shock?
Signs and symptoms of shock vary depending on circumstances and may include:Cool, clammy skin.Pale or ashen skin.Bluish tinge to lips or fingernails (or gray in the case of dark complexions)Rapid pulse.Rapid breathing.Nausea or vomiting.Enlarged pupils.Weakness or fatigue.More items...
What are the clinical characteristics of shock?
The most common clinical features/labs which are suggestive of shock include hypotension, tachycardia, tachypnea, obtundation or abnormal mental status, cold, clammy extremities, mottled skin, oliguria, metabolic acidosis, and hyperlactatemia.
What is compensated shock?
Compensated shock is the phase of shock in which the body is still able to compensate for absolute or relative fluid loss. During this phase the patient is still able to maintain an adequate blood pressure as well as brain perfusion because the sympathetic nervous system increases the heart and respiratory rates and shunts blood to the core of the body through vasoconstriction of the blood vessels and microcirculation, the precapillary sphincters constrict and decrease blood flow to areas to areas of the body with a high tolerance for decreases in perfusion, e.g. the skin. This process actually increases the blood pressure initially because there is less room within the circulatory system. The signs and symptoms of compensated shock include:
What happens to the sympathetic nervous system during DIC?
In the early stages this issue is still correctable with aggressive treatment. The blood that is now pooling begins to coagulate, the cells in the area are no longer receiving nutrients and anaerobic metabolism is responsible for the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). DIC starts during this phase and continues to progress during irreversible shock.
Why is irreversible shock the point of no return?
Irreversible shock is the terminal phase of shock and once the patient progresses into this phase it is the point of no return because there is a rapid deterioration of the cardiovascular system and the patient’s compensatory mechanisms have failed. The patient will present with severe decreases in cardiac output, blood pressure and tissue perfusion. In a last-ditch effort to save the core of the body blood is shunted away from the kidneys, liver and lungs to maintain perfusion of the brain and heart.
What happens to the body when you are decompensated?
The body will continue to shunt blood to the core of the body, the brain, heart and kidneys. The signs and symptoms of decompensated shock are becoming more obvious and the increase in vasoconstriction results in hypoxia to the other organs of the body. Because of the decrease in oxygen to the brain the patient will become confused and disoriented.
What is the best term to use when describing shock?
The better terms to use when describing shock are perfusion and hypoperfusion. When we are perfusing adequately not only are we delivering oxygen and nutrients to the organs of the body, but we are also removing the waste products of metabolism at an appropriate rate as well.
What is the most common form of shock in the prehospital setting?
As I said earlier, hypovolemic shock is the most commonly encountered form of shock in the prehospital setting. This makes sense, as the most common cause of death for people ages 1-44 is unintentional injuries.
Why does my skin look pale and clammy?
Pallor and clammy skin – this occurs because of microcirculation
What is the difference between hypovolemic shock and cardiogenic shock?
Cardiogenic shock is caused by inadequate contractility of the heart. One of the key differences between hypovolemic and cardiogenic shock is the work of breathing. In both cases, there will be tachypnea, but in hypovolemic shock the effort of breathing is only mildly increased. However, in cardiogenic shock, the work of breathing is often significantly increased as evidenced by grunts, nasal flaring, and the use of accessory thorax muscles. Also, since the heart is pumping ineffectively, blood remains in the pulmonary vasculature. This causes pulmonary congestion and edema, which can clinically be heard as crackles in the lungs and visualized as jugular vein distension. Pulses are often weak, capillary refill is slow, extremities are cool and cyanotic, and there may be a decrease in the level of consciousness.
What are the signs of hypovolemic shock?
SIGNS OF HYPOVOLEMIC SHOCK. Possible tachypnea. Tachycardia.
What is the most common type of shock?
Hypovolemic Shock. Hypovolemic shock is the most common type of shock and perhaps the easiest to understand. Hypovolemic shock results from insufficient blood in the cardiovascular system. This can be due to hemorrhage externally, or into the peritoneum or into the gastrointestinal system. Hypovolemic shock in children can also occur ...
How to tell if you have distributive shock?
Distributive shock is difficult to recognize because the signs and symptoms vary greatly depending on the etiology. Common symptoms include tachypnea, tachycardia, low to normal blood pressure, decreased urine output, and decreased level of consciousness.
How long does compensatory shock last?
This is called compensatory shock and may only persist for minutes to hours before progressing to frank uncompensated shock unless treatment is initiated. Without treatment, these compensatory systems can become overwhelmed and result in the child progressing quickly to critical hypotension and cardiac arrest.
What is shock in medical terms?
Shock is defined as a condition in which peripheral tissues and end organs do not receive adequate oxygen and nutrients. While it is sometimes used interchangeably with severe hypotension, shock does not only occur in the setting of severely low blood pressure.
Why does the arterial system need to maintain tension?
Likewise, the venous system must maintain tension as well, so as not to retain too much of the total blood supply. In distributive shock, the blood is not being maintained in the required and needed useful blood vessels.
What is shock in Mayo Clinic?
By Mayo Clinic Staff. Shock is a critical condition brought on by the sudden drop in blood flow through the body. Shock may result from trauma, heatstroke, blood loss, an allergic reaction, severe infection, poisoning, severe burns or other causes.
What to do if someone is bleeding?
If the person is bleeding, hold pressure over the bleeding area, using a towel or sheet.
What happens when you are in shock?
When a person is in shock, his or her organs aren't getting enough blood or oxygen. If untreated, this can lead to permanent organ damage or even death. Signs and symptoms of shock vary depending on circumstances and may include: Cool, clammy skin. Pale or ashen skin.
How to help someone in shock?
Seek emergency medical care. If you suspect a person is in shock, call 911 or your local emergency number. Then immediately take the following steps: Lay the person down and elevate the legs and feet slightly, unless you think this may cause pain or further injury. Keep the person still and don't move him or her unless necessary.
When to start CPR?
Begin CPR if the person shows no signs of life, such as not breathing, coughing or moving.

There Are Eight Types of Shock That We Can Encounter
- Hypovolemic – the most commonly encountered
- Cardiogenic
- Obstructive
- Septic
The Three Phases of Shock: Irreversible, Compensated, and Decompsated Shock
- Phase 1 – Compensated shock
Compensated shock is the phase of shock in which the body is still able to compensate for absolute or relative fluid loss. During this phase the patient is still able to maintain an adequate blood pressure as well as brain perfusion because the sympathetic nervous system increases th…
Phase 2 – Decompensated Shock
- Decompensated shock is defined as“the late phase of shock in which the body’s compensatory mechanisms (such as increased heart rate, vasoconstriction, increased respiratory rate) are unable to maintain adequate perfusion to the brain and vital organs.” It occurs when the blood volume decreases by more than 30%. The patient’s compensatory mechanisms are actively faili…
Phase 3 – Irreversible Shock
- Irreversible shock is the terminal phase of shock and once the patient progresses into this phase it is the point of no return because there is a rapid deterioration of the cardiovascular system and the patient’s compensatory mechanisms have failed. The patient will present with severe decreases in cardiac output, blood pressure and tissue perfusion. In a last-ditch effort to save th…
Treatment
- The most important part of treatment is recognition of the event and proactively working to prevent the progression of shock. As I said earlier, hypovolemic shock is the most commonly encountered form of shock in the prehospital setting. This makes sense, as the most common cause of death for people ages 1-44 is unintentional injuries. If the patient is bleeding externally, we know we ne…