RESPONDING
TO SHOCK
Brooke and Annmarie
Period 4
What is Shock?
• A life-threatening condition occurs when the
circulatory system fails to provide adequate
oxygenated blood to all parts of the body
How Shock Occurs
• An adequate amount of blood must be circulating in the
body when this doesn’t happen, shock occurs.
• This shuts down all non-essential organs: the brain, heart
and lungs.
• Blood volume: the total amount of blood circulating within
the body
Domino Effect
• Injury causes severe bleeding
• Heart attempts to compensate for the disruption of blood
flow by beating faster
• As blood volume drops, pulse weakens
• Blood vessels constrict in the arms, legs and skin, making
the skin appear pale or ashen and feels cool
• Due to stress, body perspires heavily and skin feels moist
Domino Effect (cont.)
• Cells start to die in the arms and legs
• Brain then sends signal to return blood to arms and legs
• Vital organs don’t receive enough blood
• Heart tries to compensate by beating faster, more blood
loss
• Vital organs fail to function properly
• Death. 
Types of shock
• Cardiogenic shock
• Distributive shock
• Hypovolemic shock
• Obstructive shock
Cardiogenic Shock
• Failure of the heart to pump enough oxygenated blood
• Can be too fast or too slow (ventricular tachycardia or
ventricular fibrillation)
• Weak and ineffective contractions can be caused by
damage from disease, trauma, poisoning, or respiratory
problems
Distributive Shock
• Abnormal dilation of the blood vessels
• Can be caused by spinal cord, brain trauma,
infection, or anaphylaxis
Hypovolemic Shock
• Severe bleeding or loss of fluid from the
body
• Inefficient blood shock
Obstructive shock
• Caused by an obstruction of blood flow
Other Reasons
• Injury to the chest
• Insufficient oxygen enters the bloodstream
Signals
• Usually caused by severe bleeding
• Apprehension, anxiety, restlessness or irritability
• Altered level of consciousness
• Nausea/vomiting
• Pale, ashen or grayish, cool, moist skin
• Rapid breathing
• Excessive thirst
How to Care
• Check and call first
• Open and clear the airway
• Control external bleeding
• Immobilize injuries
• Lie down the victim in a comfortable position
• Elevate feet to direct blood to essential organs
• Keep at normal body temperature, use a blanket or
shading device if necessary
• Do not give food or water (even if the victim shows
excessive thirst)
• Calm and reassure the victim
• Monitor breathing and watch for changes in condition
Visual Aid
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=979NvgoUeVk
Summary 
Shock is a life-threating condition that must be cared for
immediately.
2. If not cared for immediately, the body will shut due to the
Domino Effect.
3. To recognize shock, first look for severe bleeding (most
common signal) and see if the person is conscious. Then
check the skin to see if it is turning ashen, pale or moist.
4. Once you have checked and called, care by opening the
airway, controlling external bleeding, immobilizing injuries,
and laying the victim on his/her back in a comfortable
position. If you can, elevate the legs, cover with a
blanket/shading device, and calm/reassure. Remember to
monitor breathing and not allow the victim to eat/drink.
1.
Scenario
• You are at Medieval Times with some friends watching a
jousting tournament. Suddenly, you notice that one of the
knights is accidently been impaled by his opponent’s
lance in the stomach area. He is on his back on the floor
and has already lost a lot of blood. The staff clears the
area of the horses and any sharp objects. When you
check the man and he is fading in and out of
consciousness. His skin is turning pale and ashen, and it
seems very moist. His breathing is rapid and he seems to
show signs of nausea. What do you do next?
Review
• What is Shock?
• What is the Domino Effect?
• What are the 4 different types of shock?
• Name 2 signals of shock.
• Should give water to the victim if they have excessive
thirst?
Congrats, you’ve learned how to save
a life!