Final answer:
A patient presenting with a blood pressure of 70/45, confusion, and thirst is indicating symptoms of hypovolemic shock due to significant loss of body fluids, requiring immediate medical attention.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student has asked why a patient who arrives at the emergency department with a blood pressure of 70/45, appears confused, and is complaining of thirst. These symptoms are indicative of hypovolemic shock, which occurs when there is a significant loss of body fluids. The body's cells and organs do not get enough blood to function properly.
Signs and symptoms such as confusion and thirst are the body's way of signaling a dehydrated state and reduced blood volume, while the low blood pressure measurement (70 systolic over 45 diastolic) is a direct indication that the circulatory system is underperforming due to insufficient volume. In this state, urgent medical attention is necessary to identify the cause of the fluid loss and to administer appropriate treatment such as intravenous fluids and potentially blood products to restore the patient to a stable condition.