Which of the following signs is consistent with hypovolemic shock in a trauma casualty?

• A. Tachycardia
• B. Hypotension
• C. All of the above
• D. Altered mental status

Answer: (C)

Hypovolemic shock from trauma comes from losing a lot of blood, so the body’s response includes several coordinated signs. First, the sympathetic system drives the heart faster to push blood where it’s still needed, so tachycardia is a common early sign. As the circulating volume drops, there isn’t enough blood to maintain normal pressure, so blood pressure falls—hypotension becomes evident as the injury bleeds on. With less blood reaching the brain, mental status changes such as confusion or disorientation occur. In a trauma casualty, you often see this combination of rapid pulse, low blood pressure, and altered mental status together, which is why the option describing all of these signs is the best match for hypovolemic shock.