Low Blood Flow
Hypovolemic Shock
•Absolute hypovolemia: Loss of intravascular
fluid volume
–Hemorrhage
–GI loss (e.g., vomiting, diarrhea)
–Fistula drainage
–Diabetes insipidus
–Hyperglycemia
–Diuresis
Low Blood Flow
Hypovolemic Shock (Cont’d)
•Relative hypovolemia
–Results when fluid volume moves out of the
vascular space into extravascular space (e.g.,
interstitial or intracavitary space)
–Termed third spacing
Low Blood Flow
Hypovolemic Shock
•Response to acute volume loss depends on
–Extent of injury or insult
–Age
–General state of health
Low Blood Flow
Hypovolemic Shock (Cont’d)
•Clinical manifestations
–Anxiety
–Tachypnea
–Increase in CO, heart rate
–Decrease in stroke volume, PAWP, UO
•If loss is >30%, blood volume is replaced
Maldistribution of Blood Flow
Neurogenic Shock
•Hemodynamic phenomenon that can occur
within 30 minutes of a spinal cord injury at the
fifth thoracic (T5) vertebra or above and can
last up to 6 weeks
•Results in massive vasodilation leading to
pooling of blood in vessels
Maldistribution of Blood Flow
Neurogenic Shock (Cont’d)
•Clinical manifestations
–Hypotension
–Bradycardia
–Temperature dysregulation (resulting in heat loss)
–Dry skin
–Poikilothermia (taking on the temperature of the
environment)
Maldistribution of Blood Flow
Anaphylactic Shock
•Acute, life-threatening hypersensitivity
reaction
–Massive vasodilation
–Release of mediators
–↑ Capillary permeability
Maldistribution of Blood Flow
Anaphylactic Shock (Cont’d)
•Clinical manifestations
–Swelling of the lips and tongue, angioedema
–Wheezing, stridor
–Flushing, pruritus, urticaria
–Respiratory distress and circulatory failure
Maldistribution of Blood Flow
Septic Shock
•Sepsis: Systemic inflammatory response to
documented or suspected infection
•Severe sepsis = Sepsis + Organ dysfunction
Maldistribution of Blood Flow
Septic Shock (Cont’d)
•Septic shock = Presence of sepsis with
hypotension despite fluid resuscitation +
Presence of tissue perfusion abnormalities
Maldistribution of Blood Flow
Septic Shock (Cont’d)
•Mortality rates as high as 50%
•Primary causative organisms
–Gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria
–Endotoxin stimulates inflammatory response
Maldistribution of Blood Flow
Septic Shock
•Clinical manifestations
–↑ Coagulation and inflammation
–↓ Fibrinolysis
•Formation of microthrombi
•Obstruction of microvasculature
–Hyperdynamic state: Increased CO and decreased
SVR
Maldistribution of Blood Flow
Septic Shock (Cont’d)
•Clinical manifestations
–Tachypnea/hyperventilation
–Temperature dysregulation
–↓ Urine output
–Altered neurologic status
–GI dysfunction
–Respiratory failure is common
Stages of Shock
Initial Stage
•Usually not clinically apparent
•Metabolism changes from aerobic to
anaerobic
–Lactic acid accumulates and must be removed by
blood and broken down by liver
–Process requires unavailable O2
Stages of Shock
Compensatory Stage (Nonprogressive)
•Clinically apparent
–Neural
–Hormonal
–Biochemical compensatory mechanisms
•Attempts are aimed at overcoming
consequences of anaerobic metabolism and
maintaining homeostasis
Stages of Shock
Compensatory Stage (Nonprogressive)
•Baroreceptors in carotid and aortic bodies
activate SNS in response to ↓ BP
–Vasoconstriction while blood to vital organs
maintained
•↓ Blood to kidneys activates renin–
angiotensin system
–↑ Venous return to heart, CO, BP
Stages of Shock
Compensatory Stage (Nonprogressive Cont’d)
•If perfusion deficit corrected, patient recovers
with no residual sequelae
•If deficit not corrected, patient enters
progressive stage
Stages of Shock
Progressive Stage (intermediate)
•Begins when compensatory mechanisms fail
•Aggressive interventions to prevent multiple
organ dysfunction syndrome
Stages of Shock
Progressive Stage (intermediate Cont’d)
•Hallmarks of ↓ cellular perfusion and altered
capillary permeability:
•Leakage of protein into interstitial space
•↑ Systemic interstitial edema
Stages of Shock
Progressive Stage (intermediate Cont’d)
•Anasarca (severe generalized edema)
•Fluid leakage affects solid organs and peripheral tissues
•↓ Blood flow to pulmonary capillaries
Stages of Shock
Progressive Stage (intermediate Cont’d)
•Movement of fluid from pulmonary
vasculature to interstitium
•Pulmonary edema
•Bronchoconstriction
•↓ Residual capacity
Stages of Shock
Progressive Stage (intermediate Cont’d)
•Fluid moves into alveoli
•Edema
•Decreased surfactant
•Worsening V/Q mismatch
•Tachypnea
•Crackles
•Increased work of breathing
Stages of Shock
Progressive Stage (intermediate Cont’d)
•CO begins to fall
•Decreased peripheral perfusion
•Hypotension
•Weak peripheral pulses
•Ischemia of distal extremities
Stages of Shock
Progressive Stage (intermediate Cont’d)
•Myocardial dysfunction results in
•Dysrhythmias
•Ischemia
•Myocardial infarction
•End result: Complete deterioration of cardiovascular
system
Stages of Shock
Progressive Stage (intermediate Cont’d)
•Mucosal barrier of GI system becomes
ischemic
•Ulcers
•Bleeding
•Risk of translocation of bacteria
•Decreased ability to absorb nutrients
Stages of Shock
Progressive Stage (intermediate Cont’d)
•Liver fails to metabolize drugs and wastes
•Jaundice
•Elevated enzymes
•Loss of immune function
•Risk for DIC and significant bleeding
Stages of Shock
Refractory Stage (Irreversible)
•Exacerbation of anaerobic metabolism
•Accumulation of lactic acid
•↑ Capillary permeability
Stages of Shock
Refractory Stage
•Profound hypotension and hypoxemia
•Tachycardia worsens
•Decreased coronary blood flow
•Cerebral ischemia
Stages of Shock
Refractory Stage (Cont’d)
•Failure of one organ system affects others
•Recovery unlikely
Diagnostic Studies
•Through history and physical examination
•No single study to determine shock
–Blood studies
•Elevation of lactate
•Base deficit
–12-lead ECG
–Chest x-ray
–Hemodynamic monitoring
Collaborative Care
•Successful management includes
–Identification of patients at risk for shock
–Integration of the patient’s history, physical
examination, and clinical findings to establish a
diagnosis
Collaborative Care (Cont’d)
•Successful management includes
–Interventions to control or eliminate the cause of
the decreased perfusion
–Protection of target and distal organs from
dysfunction
–Provision of multisystem supportive care
Collaborative Care (Cont’d)
•Cornerstone of therapy for septic,
hypovolemic, and anaphylactic shock =
volume expansion
–Isotonic crystalloids (e.g., normal saline) for initial
resuscitation of shock
Collaborative Care (Cont’d)
•Volume expansion
–If the patient does not respond to 2 to 3 L of
crystalloids, blood administration and central
venous monitoring may be instituted
•Complications of fluid resuscitation
–Hypothermia
–Coagulopathy
Collaborative Care (Cont’d)
•Primary goal of drug therapy = correction of
decreased tissue perfusion
–Vasopressor drugs (e.g., epinephrine)
•Achieve/maintain MAP >60 to 65 mm Hg
•Reserved for patients unresponsive to other therapies
Collaborative Care (Cont’d)
•Primary goal of drug therapy = correction of
decreased tissue perfusion
–Vasodilator therapy (e.g., nitroglycerin
[cardiogenic shock], nitroprusside [noncardiogenic
shock])
•Achieve/maintain MAP >60 to 65 mm Hg
Collaborative Care (Cont’d)
•Nutrition is vital to decreasing morbidity from
shock
–Initiate enteral nutrition within the first 24 hours
Collaborative Care (Cont’d)
•Nutrition is vital to decreasing morbidity from
shock
–Initiate parenteral nutrition if enteral feedings
contraindicated or fail to meet at least 80% of the
caloric requirements
–Monitor protein, nitrogen balance, BUN, glucose,
electrolytes
Collaborative Care
Cardiogenic Shock
•Restore blood flow to the myocardium by
restoring the balance between O2 supply and
demand
•Thrombolytic therapy
•Angioplasty with stenting
•Emergency revascularization
•Valve replacement
Collaborative Care
Hypovolemic Shock
•Management focuses on stopping the loss of
fluid and restoring the circulating volume
•Fluid replacement is calculated using a 3:1
rule (3 ml of isotonic crystalloid for every 1 ml
of estimated blood loss)
Collaborative Care
Septic Shock
•Fluid replacement (e.g., 6 to 10 L of isotonic
crystalloids and 2 to 4 L of colloids) to restore
perfusion
•Hemodynamic monitoring
•Vasopressor drug therapy; vasopressin for
patients refractory to vasopressor therapy
Collaborative Care
Septic Shock (Cont’d)
•Intravenous corticosteroids for patients who
require vasopressor therapy, despite fluid
resuscitation, to maintain adequate BP
Collaborative Care
Septic Shock (Cont’d)
•Antibiotics after obtaining cultures
(e.g., blood, wound exudate, urine, stool,
sputum)
•Drotrecogin alfa (Xigris)
–Major side effect: Bleeding
Collaborative Care
Septic Shock (Cont’d)
•Glucose levels <150 mg/dl
•Stress ulcer prophylaxis with histamine (H2)-
receptor blockers
•Deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis with low-
dose unfractionated heparin or low-
molecular-weight heparin
Collaborative Care
Neurogenic Shock
•In spinal cord injury: Spinal stability
–Treatment of the hypotension and bradycardia
with vasopressors and atropine
–Fluids used cautiously as hypotension is generally
not related to fluid loss
–Monitor for hypothermia
Collaborative Care
Anaphylactic Shock
•Epinephrine, diphenhydramine
•Maintaining a patent airway
•Nebulized bronchodilators
•Endotracheal intubation or cricothyroidotomy may be
necessary
Collaborative Care
Anaphylactic Shock (Cont’d)
•Aggressive fluid replacement
•Intravenous corticosteroids if significant
hypotension persists after 1 to 2 hours of
aggressive therapy
Nursing Assessment (Cont’d)
•ABCs: Airway, breathing, and circulation
•Focused assessment of tissue perfusion
–Vital signs
–Peripheral pulses
–Level of consciousness
–Capillary refill
–Skin (e.g., temperature, color, moisture)
–Urine output
Nursing Assessment (Cont’d)
•Brief history
–Events leading to shock
–Onset and duration of symptoms
•Details of care received before hospitalization
•Allergies
•Vaccinations
Nursing Diagnoses
•Ineffective tissue perfusion: Renal, cerebral,
cardiopulmonary, gastrointestinal, hepatic,
and peripheral
•Fear
•Potential complication: Organ
ischemia/dysfunction
Planning
•Goals for patient
–Assurance of adequate tissue perfusion
–Restoration of normal or baseline BP
–Return/recovery of organ function
–Avoidance of complications from prolonged states
of hypoperfusion
Nursing Implementation
•Health Promotion
–Identify patients at risk (e.g., elderly patients,
those with debilitating illnesses or who are
immunocompromised, surgical or accidental
trauma patients)
Nursing Implementation (Cont’d)
•Health Promotion
–Planning to prevent shock
(e.g., monitoring fluid balance to prevent
hypovolemic shock, maintenance of handwashing
to prevent spread of infection)
Nursing Implementation (Cont’d)
•Acute Interventions
–Monitor the patient’s ongoing physical and
emotional status to detect subtle changes in the
patient’s condition
–Plan and implement nursing interventions and
therapy
Nursing Implementation (Cont’d)
•Acute Interventions
–Evaluate the patient’s response to therapy
–Provide emotional support to the patient and
family
–Collaborate with other members of the health
team when warranted
Nursing Implementation (Cont’d)
•Neurologic status: Orientation and level of
consciousness
•Cardiac status
–Continuous ECG
–VS, capillary refill
–Hemodynamic parameters: central venous
pressure, PA pressures, CO, PAWP
–Heart sounds: Murmurs, S3, S4
Nursing Implementation (Cont’d)
•Respiratory status
–Respiratory rate and rhythm
–Breath sounds
–Continuous pulse oximetry
–Arterial blood gases
–Most patients will be intubated and mechanically
ventilated
Nursing Implementation (Cont’d)
•Urine output
•Tympanic or pulmonary arterial temperature
•Skin: Temperature, pallor, flushing, cyanosis,
diaphoresis, piloerection
•Bowel sounds
Nursing Implementation (Cont’d)
•Nasogastric drainage/stools for occult blood
•I&O, fluid and electrolyte balance
•Oral care/hygiene based on O2 requirements
•Passive/active range of motion
Nursing Implementation (Cont’d)
•Assess level of anxiety and fear
–Medication PRN
–Talk to patient
–Visit from clergy
–Family involvement
–Comfort measures
–Privacy
–Call light within reach
Evaluation
•Normal or baseline, ECG, BP, CVP, and PAWP
•Normal temperature
•Warm, dry skin
•Urinary output >0.5 ml/kg/hr
•Normal RR and SaO2 ≥90%
•Verbalization of fears, anxiety