Types of shock — recognition

Hypovolemic : blood or fluid loss. Cold clammy skin, tachycardia, narrowing pulse pressure.. Cardiogenic : pump failure. Crackles, jugular distension, pulmonary edema.. Distributive (septic, anaphylactic, neurogenic) : vasodilation. Warm skin early in sepsis; bradycardia in neurogenic shock.. Obstructive : pulmonary embolism, tamponade, tension pneumothorax.. Compensated shock : agitation, cool extremities, capillary refill over 3 seconds, falling urine output, with a blood pressure still within normal limits. Hypotension is a late sign.

• Anaphylaxis — immediate sequence
• Antidotes to know
• Hyperkalemia — priorities
• Sepsis — first-hour actions
• Transfusion reaction — what to do
• Insulin types — onset, peak, duration

Clinical content reviewed by Ducamelle Grégoire, Registered Nurse