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Difficulty: EasyPhysiological Adaptation

A nurse is monitoring a client who has sustained severe bleeding and is at risk for hypovolemic shock. Which of the following vital sign changes should the nurse identify as an early indicator of this condition?

  1. Mild tachycardiaAnswer
  2. B
    Hypotension
  3. C
    Bradycardia
  4. D
    Widened pulse pressure

Answer

Mild tachycardia is the earliest indicator of compensatory shock.
In the initial (compensatory) stage of hypovolemic shock, the decreased blood volume triggers the sympathetic nervous system. This causes the heart rate to increase (tachycardia) as the body attempts to maintain cardiac output and ensure adequate tissue perfusion.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Recall the body's physiological response to acute blood or fluid loss.
The body activates the sympathetic nervous system to compensate for decreased intravascular volume.
Understanding the compensatory mechanisms is essential to identifying early clinical signs.
2
Evaluate the given vital sign changes against early compensatory mechanisms.
Tachycardia is recognized as the initial response to maintain cardiac output, whereas hypotension is a late sign.
To accurately differentiate between early and late indicators of clinical deterioration.

Key Concept

Early compensatory mechanisms in hypovolemic shock
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Topics

Physiological Adaptation

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