Hypovolemic shock is an emergency condition in which severe blood and fluid loss makes the heart unable to pump enough blood to the body. This type of shock can cause many organs to stop working.
Alternative Names
Shock - hypovolemic
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Losing about 1/5 or more of the normal amount of blood in your body causes hypovolemic shock.
Get immediate medical help. In the meantime, follow these steps:
Keep the person comfortable and warm (to avoid hypothermia).
Have the person lie flat with the feet lifted about 12 inches to increase circulation. However, if the person has a head, neck, back, or leg injury, do not change the person's position unless he or she is in immediate danger.
Do not give fluids by mouth.
If person is having an allergic reaction, treat the allergic reaction, if you know how.
If the person must be carried, try to keep him or her flat, with the head down and feet lifted. Stabilize the head and neck before moving a person with a suspected spinal injury.
The goal of hospital treatment is to replace blood and fluids. An intravenous (IV) line will be put into the person's arm to allow blood or blood products to be given.
Medicines such as dopamine, dobutamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine may be needed to increase blood pressure and the amount of blood pumped out of the heart (cardiac output).
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Average Rating:
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