197k views
5 votes
Decreased level of consciousness, hypotension, narrowed pulse pressure, tachycardia with weak pulse, tachypnea, and cool, clammy, cyanotic skin are signs of what?

1 Answer

4 votes

Final answer:

The described symptoms indicate circulatory shock, specifically hypovolemic shock, where the body loses a significant amount of blood or fluids. Treatment mainly involves intravenous fluids and may include drugs like dopamine, epinephrine, or norepinephrine.

Step-by-step explanation:

Decreased level of consciousness, hypotension, narrowed pulse pressure, tachycardia with a weak pulse, tachypnea, and cool, clammy, cyanotic skin are signs of circulatory shock. This is a condition where the circulatory system fails to maintain adequate blood flow, thus failing to supply enough oxygen and nutrients to the body's tissues to sustain cellular metabolism. Among the several forms of shock, the symptoms described align closely with hypovolemic shock, which is often caused by a severe loss of blood or fluids.

Common causes of hypovolemic shock include hemorrhage, severe vomiting or diarrhea in children, extensive burns, exposure to toxins, or excessive urine loss from conditions like diabetes insipidus or ketoacidosis. The treatment for shock typically involves administering intravenous fluids to restore normal function and may include medications such as dopamine, epinephrine, or norepinephrine to raise blood pressure and improve organ perfusion.

User SourabhTech
by
8.3k points