Florida State Paramedic Practice Exam

In the case of a motor vehicle accident, what vital signs indicate de-compensating hypovolemic shock?

1. HR-100, BP-120/80

2. HR-80, BP-90/60

3. HR-120, BP-40 palp

4. HR-110, BP-70/50

The correct answer is: HR-120, BP-40 palp

The vital signs indicating de-compensating hypovolemic shock prominently feature a significant drop in blood pressure alongside an elevated heart rate. In this scenario, the correct choice showcases a heart rate of 120 beats per minute and a blood pressure of 40 mmHg palpable. When a patient is experiencing de-compensating hypovolemic shock, their body attempts to maintain perfusion to vital organs by increasing the heart rate. However, when the blood pressure drops to dangerously low levels, as seen with a palpated blood pressure of only 40 mmHg, it indicates severe hypotension. This state reveals that the body can no longer compensate for the lost volume, resulting in inadequate blood flow and oxygen delivery to tissues, which is a hallmark of de-compensating shock. Typically, in de-compensating shock, the heart's effort to maintain blood circulation is overwhelmed by the severe volume loss, leading to failure in sustaining a sufficient blood pressure. This situation is critical and requires immediate intervention. Factors such as less marked tachycardia or more stable blood pressure readings suggest that the body is still maintaining some compensatory mechanisms, indicating a less severe state of hypovolemic shock.