In this article, we discuss the different types of shock, along with signs and symptoms, labs, treatment, and nursing care.
The Med-Surg Nursing video series follows along with our Medical-Surgical Nursing Flashcards, which are intended to help RN and PN nursing students study for nursing school exams, including the ATI, HESI, and NCLEX.
Medical-Surgical Nursing - Flashcards
Shock is a life-threatening circulatory failure. During shock, insufficient blood flow leads to lack of perfusion to the body's organs—organs are not getting the oxygen and nutrients that they need.
Types of shock
Types of shock include hypovolemic, cardiogenic, obstructive, and distributive shock. Distributive shock types include septic, neurogenic, and anaphylactic shock.
Hypovolemic shock
Hypovolemic shock can be caused by blood loss associated with a trauma or surgery. Hypovolemic shock can also be caused by GI losses (e.g., excess vomiting or diarrhea). It can also be caused by excess fluid loss, e.g., via diuresis.
Cardiogenic shock
Cardiogenic shock is heart pump failure that can be caused by an acute myocardial infarction, from heart failure, from a valve or structural problem in the heart, and dysrhythmias.
Obstructive shock
Obstructive shock if blockage of the great vessels or the heart itself. Examples of causes of obstructive shock include a pulmonary embolism, a tension pneumothorax, and cardiac tamponade.
Distributive shock
Distributed shock leads to extreme systemic vasodilation, which causes the patient's blood pressure to plummet.
There are three types of distributive shock: septic, neurogenic, and anaphylactic.
Septic shock
Septic shock is a dysregulated response to an infection wherein endotoxins end up in the bloodstream.
Neurogenic shock
Neurogenic shock is loss of sympathetic tone and dysfunction of the sympathetic nervous system due to a brain or spinal cord injury.
Anaphylactic shock
Anaphylactic shock is a severe allergic reaction. The patient has a reaction based on exposure to an allergen, which can lead to closure of the airway and systemic vasodilation.
Signs and symptoms of shock
Signs and symptoms of shock include hypotension, tachycardia, tachypnea, weak pulses, and a decrease in urine output to under 30 mL per hour.
If the patient has anaphylactic shock, they may also have wheezing, rash, and angioedema.
Labs and diagnostics for shock
Lab values common during shock include an increase in serum lactate, and abnormal ABGs.
If the patient has cardiogenic shock, then we will also see an increase in cardiac enzymes.
If the patient has hypovolemic shock, we will see a decrease in hemoglobin and hematocrit.
If the patient has septic shock, then we will have positive blood cultures because of the presence of endotoxins in the bloodstream.
Treatment of shock
The most important treatment for shock is to treat the underlying condition.
Administer IV fluids, blood products, and colloids to help maintain the intravascular volume.
The administration of vasopressors such as epinephrine or norepinephrine may be needed to maintain tissue perfusion. One thing that's important to note is that we need to correct the patient's hypovolemia first before administering vasopressors.
In addition, septic shock may require antibiotics.
Nursing care for shock
Nursing care for shock includes administering oxygen as ordered. Help maintain a patent airway, and prepare for intubation if necessary.
We want to place our patient in shock position— supine with their legs elevated. Cathy refers to this as a modified Trendelenburg position.
Closely monitor vital signs, level of consciousness, and urine output.
Monitor for complications, including: multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). With DIC, the body forms micro clots all over the body, which can lead to ischemia. But it also places the patient at high risk for bleeding because clotting factors are being used.
1 comment
Thanks very much; very helpful information.