Word parts
What it means
A life-threatening state in which the body has lost so much blood or fluid that the heart cannot pump enough to the tissues. Bleeding is the most common cause; severe vomiting, diarrhea, burns and heavy urine loss can also cause it. The body first tries to make up for the loss with a fast heart rate and narrowed blood vessels, so blood pressure may stay normal at first and fall later.
For the nurse
Watch for a rising heart rate, fast breathing, cool pale skin, restlessness and falling urine output, which often come before the blood pressure drops. Lay the client flat with the legs raised if ordered, start large-bore IV access, give fluids and blood as ordered, and stop any bleeding you can reach.
In a chart
"HR 128, BP 88/52, skin cool and clammy, urine output 15 mL in the last hour after GI bleed."
At a glance
| Spanish | choque hipovolémico |
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Related terms
dehydration
A state in which the body has lost more water than it has taken in.
hypotension
Blood pressure lower than normal, generally below 90/60 mm Hg in an adult.
perfusion
The flow of blood through the body's tissues, bringing them oxygen and nutrients.
hemorrhage
A large loss of blood from a blood vessel, inside the body or out of it.
hypovolemia
A lower than normal volume of fluid in the blood vessels; also called fluid volume deficit.