Shock Foundations and Stages

Vocabulary flashcards covering the definition, classifications, stages, clinical manifestations, monitoring, and fundamental management principles of shock.

Shock

Life-threatening circulatory failure causing inadequate tissue oxygen delivery, cellular hypoxia, and organ dysfunction.

Four main shock categories

Hypovolemic, cardiogenic, distributive, and obstructive.

Lactate elevation in shock

Result of inadequate oxygen delivery that promotes anaerobic metabolism and lactic acid production.

Systemic vascular resistance (SVR)

Resistance to blood flow in the systemic circulation.

Four stages of shock

Initial, compensatory, progressive, and refractory.

Initial shock

Stage of shock where reduced tissue perfusion causes subtle cellular hypoxia and anaerobic metabolism.

Compensatory shock

Stage of shock where SNS and RAAS activation produce tachycardia, vasoconstriction, and fluid retention to preserve perfusion.

Progressive shock

Stage of shock where compensation fails, cardiac output and perfusion worsen, and metabolic acidosis and organ injury develop.

Refractory shock

Stage of shock characterized by severe irreversible cellular and multiorgan injury with poor response to treatment.

Initial blood pressure preservation in shock

Process where compensatory tachycardia and vasoconstriction maintain pressure despite impaired tissue perfusion.

Bedside findings of worsening perfusion

Altered mentation, cool skin in many shock states, weak pulses, hypotension, and declining urine output.

Role of urine output monitoring in shock

Serves as a useful indicator of renal blood flow and overall perfusion.

Broad treatment principle for shock

Support airway and oxygenation, restore perfusion, and correct the underlying cause.