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You are here : Healthopedia.com > Medical Encyclopedia > Diseases and Conditions > First Aid for Shock: Diagnosis & Tests
      Category : Health Centers > Cardiovascular (Circulatory System)

First Aid for Shock

First Aid for Shock | Symptoms & Signs | Diagnosis & Tests | Prevention & Expectations | Treatment & Monitoring | Attribution


How is the injury recognized?

Shock is usually diagnosed by seeing a pattern of change in a person's vital signs. The vital signs include pulse, blood pressure, and breathing. The vital sign pattern used to diagnose shock includes:

  • low blood pressure
  • weak but rapid heartbeat
  • rapid, shallow breathing
  • fever
  • decreased level of consciousness, such as confusion or coma
  • Some blood tests can also help show some of the signs of shock. It is the complete picture that gives a diagnosis of shock rather than a single vital sign or lab test.


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    First Aid for Shock: Symptoms & Signs

     

    First Aid for Shock: Prevention & Expectations

    Author: James Broomfield, MD
    Reviewer: Eileen McLaughlin, RN, BSN
    Date Reviewed: 07/05/01









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    Page Last Updated: 6th April, 2009