Shock is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body is not getting enough blood flow. Lack of blood flow means the cells and organs do not get enough oxygen and nutrients to function properly. Many organs can be damaged as a result. Shock requires immediate treatment and can get worse very rapidly. As many 1 in 5 people in shock will die from it. Shock is a severe condition that occurs when not enough blood flows through the body, causing very low blood pressure, a lack of urine, and cell and tissue damage. The main types of shock include: CausesShock can be caused by any condition that reduces blood flow, including:
Shock is often associated with heavy external or internal bleeding from a serious injury. Toxic shock syndrome is an example of shock that is caused by an infection. SymptomsA person in shock has extremely low blood pressure. Depending on the specific cause and type of shock, symptoms will include one or more of the following:
First AidTake the following steps if you think a person is in shock:
IF THE PERSON VOMITS OR DROOLS
Do NotIn case of shock:
When to Contact a Medical ProfessionalCall 911 or the local emergency number any time a person has symptoms of shock. Stay with the person and follow the first aid steps until medical help arrives. PreventionLearn ways to prevent heart disease, falls, injuries, dehydration, and other causes of shock. If you have a known allergy (for example, to insect bites or stings), carry an epinephrine pen. Your health care provider will teach you how and when to use it. ReferencesAngus DC. Approach to the patient with shock. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 98. Puskarich MA, Jones AE. Shock. In: Walls RM, Hockberger RS, Gausche-Hill M, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 6. Smith SG, Schreiber MA. Shock, electrolytes, and fluid. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 21st ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2022:chap 4. Version InfoLast reviewed on: 11/13/2021 Reviewed by: Jesse Borke, MD, CPE, FAAEM, FACEP, Attending Physician at Kaiser Permanente, Orange County, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. Why is it important to elevate legs in shock?Conclusion: Passive leg raising might be beneficial to be performed in patients with hypovolemic shock as it increases the venous blood return the heart.
Which position is best for shock patient?Simply elevating a patient's legs may be effective in cardiogenic or neurogenic shock, but in hypovolemic shock, a patient must be properly placed in Trendelenburg's position. This nurse describes how and why she places patients in this position.
Does Elevating your legs help with low blood pressure?Passive leg raising is widely used to treat hypotension associated with hypovolemia. Presumably gravity causes a central translocation of leg venous blood and an increase in filling pressure, cardiac output, and arterial pressure.
What is the minimum standard of raising the legs in shock management?Passive leg raise, also known as shock position, is a treatment for shock or a test to evaluate the need for further fluid resuscitation in a critically ill person. It is the position of a person who is lying flat on their back with the legs elevated approximately 8–12 inches (200–300 mm).
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