Recognizing and Treating Five Shock States

Course overview

Hypotension (systolic blood pressure less than 90 mmHg) is often considered the defining hallmark of shock, but it can also be a late or deceptive sign. Therefore, other signs and symptoms must be identified early to detect and respond to a patients deteriorating state before irreversible shock ensues. The pathophysiologic process of shock is complicated, which makes nursing management challenging. An understanding of the pathophysiology, aspects of diagnosis, and effective interventions are crucial to patient survival. Knowledge of the different states of shock and evidenced-based interventions is important for nurses as they play a vital role in promoting timely detection and treatment. Such knowledge can help the clinical nurse promote care that is based on the latest guidelines.