What does shock look like?

Legend

  1. Cool peripheries

  2. Tachycardic, weak pulse

  3. Hypotensive

  4. Agitation, confusion or reduced GCS: Potentially altered conscious state due to cerebral perfusion; Hyperglycaemia can occur in shock due to metabolic changes.

  5. Delayed CRT > 2 secs: Due to poor perfusion. Press down on sternum for 5 seconds then release, count how many seconds until colour returns.

  6. Tachypnoea and hypoxia

  7. Mottling of skin

  8. Oliguria: Due to reduced renal perfusion

  • Look

    How is their pallor?

    Are the mucous membranes dry?

    Do they have any oedema?

  • ear

    Listen

    Are the heart sounds normal?

    Does the patient feel thirsty?

  • touch

    Feel

    How does the patient feel: Peripherally, cool, warm or hot?

    What is the capillary refill time?

    How does the radial pulse feel: Rate, rhythm and character?

    Does the character of the radial and central pulse differ?

  • monitor

    Measure

    Measure the blood pressure using the correct size cuff

    What is the heart rate?

    12 lead ECG

Remember! An unresponsive patient or patient with grossly abnormal breathing or no breathing or no palpable pulse = CARDIAC ARREST

Dial 2222