Trauma Nurse Core Course (TNCC) Practice Exam

What clinical manifestation is often seen in patients experiencing shock?

1. Increased respiratory rate

2. Severe headache

3. Elevated blood pressure

4. Hypothermia

The correct answer is: Increased respiratory rate

In patients experiencing shock, an increased respiratory rate is a common clinical manifestation. This occurs as the body attempts to compensate for decreased oxygen delivery to tissues and organs due to hypotension or inadequate perfusion. As the body senses low oxygen levels (hypoxia), it stimulates the respiratory center to increase the rate and depth of breathing in an effort to improve oxygenation. The body's response to shock may involve various compensatory mechanisms, including tachypnea, increased heart rate, and vasoconstriction, all of which help maintain perfusion to vital organs when faced with a significant drop in blood volume or cardiac output. In contrast, a severe headache is not a primary manifestation of shock, elevated blood pressure is typically not observed in shock (often it is low or normal), and hypothermia can result from prolonged shock but is less characteristic of the initial presentation.