Fluid Resuscitation and Hypovolemic Shock

Course overview

Hypovolemia, or decreased circulation of intravascular fluids, may occur for many reasons. For instance, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea may decrease intravascular volume. Other illnesses may also reduce intravascular volume via excessive diuresis. In the context of caring for trauma patients, hypovolemic shock is most often due to blood loss from sustained injuries. Hypovolemia is not always immediately obvious: Patients with abdominal injuries, chest injuries, or fractures may bleed internally without displaying signs of shock until the hemorrhage is substantial. Hypovolemic shock can be life-threatening in trauma situations. Blood loss remains the leading cause of preventable death in the first 24 hours of admission after a traumatic injury (McQuillan and Flynn-Mavik, 2020). Undetected or undertreated compensatory hypovolemic shock may progress to decompensated shock. The entire trauma team must remain vigilant toward the signs of hypovolemic shock.