You are reassessing a young female who sustained blunt trauma to the chest in a motor vehicle collision. What assessment finding best indicates that she is deteriorating and in the decompensatory phase of shock?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Hypotension (low blood pressure) is a clear indication that the patient is in the decompensatory phase of shock. This means that compensatory mechanisms (such as increased heart rate and peripheral vasoconstriction) are no longer sufficient to maintain adequate perfusion to vital organs. The other options (resting tachycardia, continued bleeding from an injury, and altered mental status) may also be present in shock, but they are not as specific to the decompensatory phase.

You Are Reassessing a Young Female Who Sustained Blunt Trauma