Question

The patient is in the compensatory stage of shock. What manifestations indicate this to the nurse (select all that apply)?

a. Pale and cool
b. Unresponsive
c. Lower BP than baseline
d. Moist crackles in the lungs
e. Hyperactive bowel sounds
f. Tachypnea and tachycardia

Answer 1

In compensatory shock, indications to a nurse include tachypnea, tachycardia, pale and cool skin, and a lower BP than baseline. Moist crackles in the lungs and hyperactive bowel sounds are not typical of shock, while unresponsiveness suggests a more advanced stage.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the compensatory stage of shock, the body is trying to maintain homeostasis and counteract the effects of decreased perfusion. Manifestations that may indicate this stage to a nurse include tachypnea (rapid breathing) and tachycardia (rapid heart rate) as the body attempts to supply more oxygen to tissues and improve blood circulation. Patients may also present with pale and cool skin due to vasoconstriction, which is the body's effort to redirect blood flow to vital organs. A lower BP than baseline may also be observed due to the body's efforts to maintain cardiac output despite fluid loss or decreased vascular tone.

Moist crackles in the lungs and hyperactive bowel sounds are not typical features of compensatory shock, but rather, could be indicative of other conditions such as pneumonia or gastrointestinal issues, respectively. An unresponsive state is more associated with the late stages of shock when the body's compensatory mechanisms are overwhelmed.