Signs of shock do not include which of the following?

Signs of shock do not include which of the following?

• A. Increased blood pressure
• B. Rapid pulse
• C. Cool, clammy skin
• D. Pallor

Answer: (A)

Think about how the body responds to shock. When perfusion drops, the sympathetic system kicks in to keep blood flowing to vital organs. This causes the heart to beat faster (rapid pulse) and the vessels to constrict, which trades blood away from the skin to core organs. That constriction makes the skin cool and clammy and often leads to pale skin (pallor). As shock progresses, blood pressure usually falls rather than rises. So an increased blood pressure isn’t a sign of shock. In some people, early or mild cases might have a normal BP due to compensation, but an actual rise in BP is not typical of shock.

Think about how the body responds to shock. When perfusion drops, the sympathetic system kicks in to keep blood flowing to vital organs. This causes the heart to beat faster (rapid pulse) and the vessels to constrict, which trades blood away from the skin to core organs. That constriction makes the skin cool and clammy and often leads to pale skin (pallor). As shock progresses, blood pressure usually falls rather than rises. So an increased blood pressure isn’t a sign of shock. In some people, early or mild cases might have a normal BP due to compensation, but an actual rise in BP is not typical of shock.