Final answer:
Low or decreasing blood pressure can indicate hypovolemia, while rapid or increasing pulse rate can also indicate hypovolemia. Treatments may involve intravenous fluid replacement.
Step-by-step explanation:
Low or decreasing blood pressure can indicate hypovolemia, which refers to a decreased blood volume. Hypovolemia can be caused by various factors such as bleeding, dehydration, vomiting, severe burns, or certain medications used to treat hypertension. In cases of hypovolemia, the body's regulatory mechanisms may effectively maintain blood pressure until about 10-20 percent of the blood volume is lost. Treatment usually involves intravenous fluid replacement.
Rapid pulse rate or increasing pulse rate can also indicate hypovolemia. When blood volume is low, baroreceptors in the body detect the decrease in blood pressure and signal the heart to increase its rate and/or strength of contractions to compensate for the lowered blood pressure. This can result in a rapid or increased pulse rate.