Shock index
NCLEX-RN glossary · Reduction Of Risk Potential
Definition
A sensitive clinical ratio calculated by dividing the heart rate by the systolic blood pressure (HR/SBP).
Shock index in plain English
Acts as an early warning for occult shock; a value between 0.7 to 0.9 can identify deterioration even when the systolic blood pressure remains within a standard normal range. A common mistake is accepting a blood pressure of 110/70 as proof of stability while ignoring a rising heart rate that has pushed the shock index into a high-risk zone.
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