Shock

hellonotarealdr
Jun 9
2 min read

Updated: Jun 25

Not to be confused with the emotion, medical shock happens when not enough oxygen is delivered to the brain and vital organs. People can go into shock for many reasons – it can be caused by anything that reduces the flow of blood, such as:

External bleeding
Internal bleeding
Allergic reactions
Septic shock
Loss of bodily fluids (dehydration, diarrhoea, vomiting)
Heart attack/heart failure

Symptoms:

Pale/clammy skin
- On dark skin, look at the palms and soles of the feet to be sure
Weak pulse
Fast pulse
Sweating
Fast, shallow breathing
Grey-blue skin
- On dark skin, this is most visible on the inside of the lips, and on the palms of the hands
Nausea and vomiting
Restlessness
Gasping for air
The casualty could become unresponsive as shock worsens.

Stretch!

The body tries to maintain blood flow to vital organs (brain, heart) by vasoconstricting (tightening) blood vessels in the skin and less vital organs — this is why skin becomes pale or cool.

What to do

Firstly, treat the cause of shock – the wound you would have identified by doing the DR ABC primary survey.
Use the saying: “if the face is pale, raise the tail. If the face is red, raise the head”.
- This means that if the casualty’s* face is pale, you should elevate their legs by lifting their feet onto a chair and making them lie down.
- If their face is red, have them sit up with their back against something.
Call emergency services and explain that the casualty is in shock and what is causing it.
Cover the casualty with a blanket or coat to make sure they stay warm, and make sure their clothing is not restrictive* (remove any ties etc)
Monitor them continuously. Get ready to perform CPR or other actions if necessary, if they become unresponsive*.

Summary:

Shock can be caused by anything that reduces the flow of blood. When treating it, remember the saying "if the face is pale, raise the tail. If the face is red, raise the head." This helps you work out whether to help the casualty sit down with their back against something, or whether to lift their legs up.

Glossary:

Casualty: the person that is hurt in a first aid scenario.

Restrictive: makes them not able to move around easily, or (in this context) clothes that are too tight.

Unresponsive: when someone suddenly becomes unconscious and does not respond to touch, pain, or sound.

For Older Learners:

Use these questions to challenge yourself!

Is it important for first aiders to recognise signs and symptoms of conditions for all skin colours? Why or why not?
Why do both a weak pulse and a fast pulse occur in shock? What is the body trying to compensate for?
Why do you think raising the casualty's legs aids with shock? Link your answer to ideas about blood and circulation.