Which sign is typical of hypovolemic shock?

Which sign is typical of hypovolemic shock?

• A. Cool skin
• B. Warm flushed skin
• C. Diaphoresis without cool skin
• D. Nasal congestion

Answer: (A)

Hypovolemic shock reduces the amount of circulating blood, so the body responds by constricting blood vessels to prioritize blood flow to the heart and brain. That peripheral vasoconstriction makes the skin feel cool and appear clammy, which is a classic sign of this type of shock. Warm, flushed skin would suggest vasodilation, more typical of distributive types of shock like septic or anaphylactic shock, not hypovolemia. Diaphoresis can occur with shock, but the key feature here is the cool, clammy skin indicating reduced peripheral perfusion. Nasal congestion isn’t a sign of shock at all.

Hypovolemic shock reduces the amount of circulating blood, so the body responds by constricting blood vessels to prioritize blood flow to the heart and brain. That peripheral vasoconstriction makes the skin feel cool and appear clammy, which is a classic sign of this type of shock.

Warm, flushed skin would suggest vasodilation, more typical of distributive types of shock like septic or anaphylactic shock, not hypovolemia. Diaphoresis can occur with shock, but the key feature here is the cool, clammy skin indicating reduced peripheral perfusion. Nasal congestion isn’t a sign of shock at all.