Assessment of an infant suspected of having shock reveals skin that is warm, pink, and well perfused. How should the therapist interpret these findings?

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Evaluation of skin color and temperature is easily performed. The skin of children in shock may be pale, cyanotic, or mottled because of poor perfusion. Traditionally, practitioners have described two phases of septic shock. In early septic shock the skin appears well perfused, warm, and pink. These signs are caused by vasodilation and increased cardiac output. Later in the course of shock, the cardiac output begins to fall. Skin examined during this period is likely to be cool, cyanotic, or mottled, representing a decrease in the amount of substrate reaching the skin.

Assessment of an Infant Suspected of Having Shock Reveals Skin