Hypovolemic shock
NCLEX-RN glossary · Physiological Adaptation
Definition
A state of inadequate systemic tissue perfusion caused by a critical loss of intravascular volume from hemorrhage or fluid shifts.
Hypovolemic shock in plain English
Failure to restore volume leads to anaerobic metabolism and irreversible multisystem failure; resuscitation is the highest physiological priority. The tempting mistake is administering vasopressors to increase blood pressure before restoring volume, which further restricts tissue perfusion in a depleted vascular bed.
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