which vital sign is the most reliable indicator of shock in a pediatric patient

What is the best indicator of shock in a pediatric patient?

Signs of early (compensated) shock include tachycardia, poor skin color, cool/dry skin, and delayed capillary refill. Systolic blood pressure is normal in early shock. In late (decompensated) shock, perfusion is profoundly affected.

What are signs of pediatric shock?

Babies and young children usually have several symptoms of shock, including:Passing out (losing consciousness).Being very sleepy or hard to wake up.Not responding to being touched or talked to.Breathing much faster than usual.Acting confused. The child may not know where he or she is.

What is the most common shock in children?

Of pediatric patients who present to the emergency department in shock, sepsis is the leading cause (57%), followed by hypovolemic shock (24%), distributive shock (14%), and cardiogenic shock (5%).

What is the most common shock seen in infants and children?

Described over 150 years ago, hypovolemic shock remains the most common etiology of shock affecting children today.

Why is blood pressure an unreliable indicator of pediatric shock?

Hypotension can be an early sign of shock in adults, but not for children, says Hazinski. "The child is much more heart-rate dependent than the adult is," she notes. "A child may well be in shock and still have a normal blood pressure." More reliable signs are altered mental status and poor perfusion, says Richard A.

What are 10 signs of shock in child?

AdvertisementCool, 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 two most common forms of shock in a pediatric patient?

The most common causes of cardiogenic shock in children are as follows:Structural Disorders – often present a picture of obstructive shock. Hypoplastic left heart syndrome, tetralogy of Fallot, coarctation of the aorta and other structural disorders can result in systolic heart failure. ... Cardiomyopathies. ... Arrhythmias.

What is the most common cause of shock among pediatric trauma patients?

Circulatory assessment – Hypovolemia due to blood loss is the most common cause of shock in the pediatric trauma patient [6], and its early recognition and treatment are critical during trauma resuscitation.

How does shock differ in pediatric patients compared to adults?

In comparison with adults, children have a higher body-surface-area-to-volume ratio, leading to greater insensible heat and fluid losses, which can worsen the hypovolemic state.

What initially increases as a result of shock in a pediatric patient?

While children are still in the compensated stage of shock, they typically exhibit tachycardia as a result of their body's attempt to increase cardiac output to compensate for the lower circulating fluid volume.

What are the signs of hypovolemic shock in children?

Other signs of hypovolemic shock include:Rapid heartbeat.Quick, shallow breathing.Feeling weak.Being tired.Confusion or wooziness.Having little or no pee.Low blood pressure.Cool, clammy skin.

What are the signs of shock?

Common signs and symptoms of shock include:Low blood pressure.Altered mental state, including reduced alertness and awareness, confusion, and sleepiness.Cold, moist skin. Hands and feet may be blue or pale.Weak or rapid pulse.Rapid breathing and hyperventilation.Decreased urine output.

What is pediatric shock?

Pediatric shock is a condition that occurs when the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the organs and tissues of the body is compromised. Shock occurs on a continuum and ranges from mild to severe.

What happens when a child is in shock?

Shock occurs when the body tried to redirect blood to the brain and other important internal organs. As a result, less blood is sent to the outside parts of the body, so the child appears pale and has cold, clammy skin. When a child is in shock, it may be hard to detect a pulse and blood pressure.

What are the signs of hypovolemic shock in children?

Other signs of hypovolemic shock include:Rapid heartbeat.Quick, shallow breathing.Feeling weak.Being tired.Confusion or wooziness.Having little or no pee.Low blood pressure.Cool, clammy skin.

What are the signs of shock?

Common signs and symptoms of shock include:Low blood pressure.Altered mental state, including reduced alertness and awareness, confusion, and sleepiness.Cold, moist skin. Hands and feet may be blue or pale.Weak or rapid pulse.Rapid breathing and hyperventilation.Decreased urine output.