Friday, February, 10, 2012

Hypovolemic shock

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

Shock - hypovolemic


Symptoms
  • Anxiety or agitation
  • Cool, clammy skin
  • Confusion
  • Decreased or no urine output
  • General weakness
  • Pale skin color (pallor)
  • Rapid breathing
  • Sweating , moist skin
  • Unconsciousness

The greater and more rapid the blood loss, the more severe the symptoms of shock.


Signs and tests

An examination shows signs of shock, including:

  • Low blood pressure
  • Low body temperature
  • Rapid pulse, often weak and thready

Tests that may be done include:

  • Blood chemistry, including kidney function tests
  • Complete blood count (CBC)
  • CT scan, ultrasound, or x-ray of suspected areas
  • Echocardiogram
  • Endoscopy
  • Right heart (Swan-Ganz) catheterization
  • Urinary catheterization (tube placed into the bladder to measure urine output)

Review Date: 01/14/2010
Reviewed By: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)