Circulatory Compromise

What are three conditions that can obstruct blood flow in the chest?

Hemothorax, pneumothorax, and pulmonary embolism.

What are two types of pneumothorax?

Simple (or tension) pneumothorax and open pneumothorax (sucking chest wound).

What condition involves both blood and air in the pleural space?

Hemopneumothorax.

What two conditions inhibit the heart's ability to pump oxygenated blood effectively?

Heart failure and cardiac tamponade.

How do blood loss and anemia affect the blood's function?

They decrease the blood's ability to carry oxygen.

What is hypovolemic shock?

An abnormal decrease in blood volume that causes inadequate oxygen delivery to the body.

What characterizes vasodilatory shock?

It is determined by the size of the blood vessels; as vessel diameter increases, blood pressure decreases.

How should a patient suspected of being in shock be treated?

Aggressively, to prevent further interruptions to tissue perfusion