Neurological Shock
SHOCK
Shock is one of the features most commonly present after accident, injury or sudden illness, especially if the sudden illness is characterized by pain.
The essential factors in shock is a lowered blood pressure. Shock may be
1. Primary – This occurs actually at the of the accident or sudden illness.
2. Secondary – This may not develop until several hours after the accident or sudden illness and is usually very serious.
There are several terms used to classify shock; probably the two most commonly used are
1. Oligamic shock
2. Neurogenic shock
Oligamic shock – This occurs when the tissues have been damaged and there is loss of blood or fluid from the circulation. It is very commonly present in the following circumstances.
- Fractures …show more content…
To begin with the pulse may be slow, but gradually it becomes rapid and feeble. This is due to the heart trying to pump more rapidly the small amount of circulation blood. If the heart contracts more rapidly than usual it does to less strongly.
2. Breathing is rapid, sighing and shallow. The patient, in trying to take in as much oxygen as possible, breathes more rapidly.
3. The skin becomes cold and clammy to touch and is either very pale or grey in colour. This is due to constriction of the peripheral blood vessels and limitation of the blood supply to the skin.
4. The temperature if taken will be found to be sub-normal, that is, below 350C, (970F).
5. If the blood pressure can be taken, it will be lower than normal.
This signs and symptoms will vary markedly depending upon the circumstances. Fainting , with its well known signs and symptoms, constitutes a mild shock form of shock, and thus may extend to extreme cases of accident, injury, sudden illness, fear, or states of emotional upset, shock may be present to a greater or lesser degree and the first aid worker must be prepared to treat this condition as well as the obvious injury. The first-aid worker should also appreciate that shock may not initiaaly be present but could develop later. Early treatment of any of the conditions known to be associated with shock may prevent it from occurring or lessen its …show more content…
The steps that can be taken prior to admission of the patient to hospital are:
1. Lay the patient down, either in bed, on the floor or where the accident occurred. If possible, place the patient in the prone position with the head turned to the side. If this position is not possible, then place the patient on his or her side or in the recumbent position with the head turned to one side.
2. If it is possible, raise the lower part of the body, this may help the flow of the blood to the brain.
3. If the patient is indoors, merely cover him with a light blanket. It is of the greatest important that the patient is not overheated or made to sweat as this causes further loss of fluid from the body.
If the patient is outdoors, a blanket or rug may be placed between the patient and the ground and a light blanket or rug used to cover
Shock is one of the features most commonly present after accident, injury or sudden illness, especially if the sudden illness is characterized by pain.
The essential factors in shock is a lowered blood pressure. Shock may be
1. Primary – This occurs actually at the of the accident or sudden illness.
2. Secondary – This may not develop until several hours after the accident or sudden illness and is usually very serious.
There are several terms used to classify shock; probably the two most commonly used are
1. Oligamic shock
2. Neurogenic shock
Oligamic shock – This occurs when the tissues have been damaged and there is loss of blood or fluid from the circulation. It is very commonly present in the following circumstances.
- Fractures …show more content…
To begin with the pulse may be slow, but gradually it becomes rapid and feeble. This is due to the heart trying to pump more rapidly the small amount of circulation blood. If the heart contracts more rapidly than usual it does to less strongly.
2. Breathing is rapid, sighing and shallow. The patient, in trying to take in as much oxygen as possible, breathes more rapidly.
3. The skin becomes cold and clammy to touch and is either very pale or grey in colour. This is due to constriction of the peripheral blood vessels and limitation of the blood supply to the skin.
4. The temperature if taken will be found to be sub-normal, that is, below 350C, (970F).
5. If the blood pressure can be taken, it will be lower than normal.
This signs and symptoms will vary markedly depending upon the circumstances. Fainting , with its well known signs and symptoms, constitutes a mild shock form of shock, and thus may extend to extreme cases of accident, injury, sudden illness, fear, or states of emotional upset, shock may be present to a greater or lesser degree and the first aid worker must be prepared to treat this condition as well as the obvious injury. The first-aid worker should also appreciate that shock may not initiaaly be present but could develop later. Early treatment of any of the conditions known to be associated with shock may prevent it from occurring or lessen its …show more content…
The steps that can be taken prior to admission of the patient to hospital are:
1. Lay the patient down, either in bed, on the floor or where the accident occurred. If possible, place the patient in the prone position with the head turned to the side. If this position is not possible, then place the patient on his or her side or in the recumbent position with the head turned to one side.
2. If it is possible, raise the lower part of the body, this may help the flow of the blood to the brain.
3. If the patient is indoors, merely cover him with a light blanket. It is of the greatest important that the patient is not overheated or made to sweat as this causes further loss of fluid from the body.
If the patient is outdoors, a blanket or rug may be placed between the patient and the ground and a light blanket or rug used to cover