Question

An 80-year-old patient is in shock from loss of blood following an accident. His vital signs are: BP 80/50 (normal 120/80), HR 120 (norm = 60-100), RR 20 (norm = 12 to 20), T 98.6 (norm 98.6). The patient would also most likely have all of the following EXCEPT?

1) S S of cool feet and hands from the body's compensatory response to shock.
2) S S of feeling faint and weak from blood loss.
3) a risk factor of shock.
4) a more guarded (ie, 'poorer') prognosis because of his age.

Answer 1

The 80-year-old patient shows signs of hypovolemic shock; symptoms include cool extremities and feelings of faintness, and his prognosis is likely worsened by age. However, the patient would not be described as having a 'risk factor of shock' as he is already in shock.

Step-by-step explanation:

The 80-year-old patient in question is likely experiencing hypovolemic shock due to a significant loss of blood following an accident. Given the vital signs presented, including a blood pressure (BP) of 80/50, a heart rate (HR) of 120, a respiratory rate (RR) of 20, and a normal temperature (T) of 98.6, we can infer several typical responses to shock. However, one listed likely response does not fit with the scenario. The patient would most likely exhibit symptoms such as cool feet and hands from the body's compensatory response to the shock, feelings of faintness and weakness due to blood loss, and a more guarded prognosis due to his advanced age. However, the patient would not have a 'risk factor of shock' at this moment; risk factors are conditions or attributes that increase the likelihood of developing a disease or injury, but once the patient is in shock, the focus shifts to symptoms and management rather than risk factors.