Shock Case Study (15 pts)
HPI. Mrs. K is a 22 y/o college student, rushed to the ED 35 minutes after sustaining multiple
stab wounds to the chest and abdomen by an unidentified assailant. A witness called 911.
Paramedics arriving at the scene found the victim to be in severe acute distress.
Vital signs were as follows: HR 128 (baseline 80), BP 80/55 (baseline 115/80), RR 37 and
labored. Chest auscultation revealed decreased breath sounds in the R lung consistent with
basilar atelectasis (ie. collapsed R lung). Pupils were equal, round, reactive to light, and
accommodation. Her LOC was reported as “awake, slightly confused, and complaining of severe
chest and abdominal pain.” Pedal pulses were absent, radial pulses were weak, and carotid pulses
were palpable. The patient was immediately started on IV Lactated Ringer’s solution at a rate of
150 mL/hr.
An ECG monitor placed at the scene of the attack revealed that the patient has developed sinus
tachycardia. She was tachypneic, became short of breath with conversation and reported her
heart was pounding out of her chest. She appeared to be very anxious and continued to c/o pain.
Her skin was cool and nail beds were pale but not cyanotic. Skin turgor was poor. Peripheral
pulses were absent with the exception of a thread, brachial pulse. Capillary refill time was 7-8
seconds. Doppler ultrasound had been required to obtain an accurate BP reading. The patient’s
skin was cool and clammy. There was a significant amount of blood on her dress and on the
pavement where she was lying.
Question 2. What is the pathophysiologic sequence of events for shock? (2pts)
Question 3. What type of shock does this patient seem to have? What is your rationale? (2 pts)
Question 4. Does this patient need a blood transfusion? Provide rationale for your answer. (2pts)
During transport to the hospital, vital signs were reassessed: HR 138, BP 75/50, RR 38 with
confusion. Patient was diagnosed with hypovolemic shock and IV fluids were doubled. Oxygen
was started at 3L/min by nasal cannula. ER physicians chose not to start a central venous line.
An indwelling foley catheter was inserted with return of 180mL of amber colored urine. Urine
output measured over the next hour was 14mL. Patient was taken to the OR for surgical
correction of lacerations to the right lung, liver and pancreas. In total, patient received 1L of
Lactated Ringers.
Table 1.
Class
Parameter
I
II
III
IV
Blood loss (ml)
<750
750–1500
1500–2000
>2000
Blood loss (%)
<15%
15–30%
30–40%
>40%
Pulse rate (beats/min)
<100
>100
>120
>140
Blood pressure
Normal
Decreased
Decreased
Decreased
Respiratory rate (breaths/min)
14–20
20–30
30–40
>35
Urine output (ml/hour)
>30
20–30
5–15
Negligible
CNS symptoms
Normal
Anxious
Confused
Lethargic
Class
Parameter
I
II
III
IV
Blood loss (ml)
<750
750–1500
1500–2000
>2000
Blood loss (%)
<15%
15–30%
30–40%
>40%
Pulse rate (beats/min)
<100
>100
>120
>140
Blood pressure
Normal
Decreased
Decreased
Decreased
Respiratory rate (breaths/min.
Shock Case Study (15 pts)HPI. Mrs. K is a 22 yo college student, .pdf
1. Shock Case Study (15 pts)
HPI. Mrs. K is a 22 y/o college student, rushed to the ED 35 minutes after sustaining multiple
stab wounds to the chest and abdomen by an unidentified assailant. A witness called 911.
Paramedics arriving at the scene found the victim to be in severe acute distress.
Vital signs were as follows: HR 128 (baseline 80), BP 80/55 (baseline 115/80), RR 37 and
labored. Chest auscultation revealed decreased breath sounds in the R lung consistent with
basilar atelectasis (ie. collapsed R lung). Pupils were equal, round, reactive to light, and
accommodation. Her LOC was reported as “awake, slightly confused, and complaining of severe
chest and abdominal pain.” Pedal pulses were absent, radial pulses were weak, and carotid pulses
were palpable. The patient was immediately started on IV Lactated Ringer’s solution at a rate of
150 mL/hr.
An ECG monitor placed at the scene of the attack revealed that the patient has developed sinus
tachycardia. She was tachypneic, became short of breath with conversation and reported her
heart was pounding out of her chest. She appeared to be very anxious and continued to c/o pain.
Her skin was cool and nail beds were pale but not cyanotic. Skin turgor was poor. Peripheral
pulses were absent with the exception of a thread, brachial pulse. Capillary refill time was 7-8
seconds. Doppler ultrasound had been required to obtain an accurate BP reading. The patient’s
skin was cool and clammy. There was a significant amount of blood on her dress and on the
pavement where she was lying.
Question 2. What is the pathophysiologic sequence of events for shock? (2pts)
Question 3. What type of shock does this patient seem to have? What is your rationale? (2 pts)
Question 4. Does this patient need a blood transfusion? Provide rationale for your answer. (2pts)
During transport to the hospital, vital signs were reassessed: HR 138, BP 75/50, RR 38 with
confusion. Patient was diagnosed with hypovolemic shock and IV fluids were doubled. Oxygen
was started at 3L/min by nasal cannula. ER physicians chose not to start a central venous line.
An indwelling foley catheter was inserted with return of 180mL of amber colored urine. Urine
output measured over the next hour was 14mL. Patient was taken to the OR for surgical
correction of lacerations to the right lung, liver and pancreas. In total, patient received 1L of
Lactated Ringers.
Table 1.
Class
Parameter
I
II
III
2. IV
Blood loss (ml)
<750
750–1500
1500–2000
>2000
Blood loss (%)
<15%
15–30%
30–40%
>40%
Pulse rate (beats/min)
<100
>100
>120
>140
Blood pressure
Normal
Decreased
Decreased
Decreased
Respiratory rate (breaths/min)
14–20
20–30
30–40
>35
Urine output (ml/hour)
>30
20–30
5–15
Negligible
CNS symptoms
Normal
Anxious
Confused
Lethargic
4. CNS symptoms
Normal
Anxious
Confused
Lethargic
Solution
2.The pathophysiologic sequence of events in shock are given below:
3. This patient seems to have a hypovolemic shock because the cause of the shock is a
hemorrhage. Hypovolemic shock is the most common shock characterized by 15 to 30%
decrease in the intravascular fluid which represents a loss of 750 to 1500 ml blood in a 70 kg
patient.
4. In general, blood may be transfused if bleeding is the cause of the shock state. The decision to
give blood is based on patient's lack of response to the volume of blood lost and need for
hemoglobin to help with oxygen transport If bleeding is not the case, intravenous fluids will be
given to increase the volume of fluids within the blood vessels. Blood products also known as
colloids may need to be given to the patient if the patient does not respond to crystalloids.1.
Decreased blood volume.
