Which sign of hypovolemic shock is a relatively late sign?

• A. rapidly falling blood pressure
• B. increased heart rate
• C. cool, clammy skin
• D. rapid breathing

Answer: (A)

In hypovolemic shock, the body first tries to compensate for the reduced blood volume. The sympathetic system ramps up heart rate and strengthens cardiac contractions, and blood vessels constrict to keep blood flowing to vital organs. These actions show up early as a rapidly increasing heart rate and cool, clammy skin from peripheral vasoconstriction. Breathing also tends to speed up as the body tries to improve oxygen delivery and cope with metabolic changes. Blood pressure, however, tends to stay near normal values until the volume loss becomes overwhelming and the compensatory mechanisms can no longer maintain adequate perfusion. When that threshold is crossed, blood pressure falls markedly—that’s a late sign indicating decompensation.