Patient education: Shock (The Basics)

What is shock? — 

This is a condition that happens when blood pressure is low and not enough blood or oxygen gets to the body's organs and tissues.

The most common cause of shock is major bleeding, for example, after an accident or injury. But shock can also happen in other situations, like with a serious infection, allergic reaction, or heart condition.

Shock is a life-threatening condition. A person in shock needs treatment right away. Without treatment, the organs in the body will stop working. This causes death.

What are the symptoms of shock? — 

They depend on the cause of the shock and how severe it is. The main symptoms include:

●Low blood pressure – If you take the person's pulse, it might feel weak.

●Fast heart rate

●Acting differently from normal. This can include:

•Acting confused – A person in shock might have trouble paying attention to instructions, or not realize where they are.

•Not responding when someone talks to them

●Skin that is cool, clammy, grayish blue, or red and flushed

●Urinating much less than usual

Should I see a doctor or nurse? — 

Yes, as soon as possible. Many people who are in shock are already in a hospital. If you are not in a hospital, you or someone with you should call the doctor or nurse if you:

●Have an injury or infection and any of the main symptoms of shock

●Had a recent surgery or hospital stay, and now are sick or have an infection

If your doctor or nurse cannot see you right away, or you cannot reach them, go to the nearest emergency department. If you have a serious injury, such as a broken leg or bleeding wound, call for an ambulance right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1).

Will I need tests? — 

Yes. The doctor or nurse will do tests to find the cause of the shock. These can include:

●Blood tests

●Urine tests

●Imaging tests, such as X-rays, CT scans, or ultrasounds – These create pictures of the inside of the body.

●Heart tests like an electrocardiogram ("ECG") and echocardiogram – These can show heart problems that could cause shock.

How is shock treated? — 

It depends on what caused the shock. Treatments can include:

●Treatments to stop bleeding – If the shock is caused by bleeding, doctors and nurses can put pressure on the area that is bleeding or sew it up.

●Fluids that go into a vein through a thin tube called an "IV"

●Blood transfusion – This is when a person gets blood that was donated by someone else. The blood goes into a vein.

●Treatments to get rid of fluid, air, or blood in the belly or around the heart or lungs – Doctors can use a thin needle to take it out, or do surgery.

●Emergency surgery – This can treat injuries that cause shock.

●Antibiotics that go into a vein through an IV – This can treat infections that cause shock.

●Steroids that go into a vein through an IV – These can treat allergies that can cause shock.

●Other medicines to treat allergies, for example, if shock is caused by a serious allergy to bee stings or a food

●Medicines to increase blood pressure while doctors treat the cause of shock

More on this topic

Patient education: Sepsis in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: GI bleed (The Basics)