Trauma Nurse Core Course (TNCC) Practice Exam

In this scenario, the presence of restlessness, cool skin, and changes in vital signs typically signifies that the patient is experiencing compensated shock. During this stage, the body is beginning to respond to decreased perfusion by activating compensatory mechanisms such as increased heart rate and vascular constriction to maintain blood pressure and blood flow to vital organs. Restlessness is an early sign that the brain is not receiving sufficient oxygen or glucose, prompting a reaction. Cool skin indicates peripheral vasoconstriction as the body tries to redirect blood flow to essential organs, indicating that the body's compensatory efforts are still functioning effectively. Changes in vital signs, such as an increased heart rate, also align with this phase of shock where the body attempts to cope with the early losses in circulating volume by increasing cardiac output. As shock progresses, you would expect to see more prominent signs indicating that compensatory mechanisms are failing, leading to progressive shock stages where symptoms worsen. This includes marked lethargy, significantly altered vital signs, and potentially cool skin becoming pale or mottled in appearance. In the irreversible stage, the body experiences multi-system organ failure, where the compensatory mechanisms are overwhelmed and organ function declines tragically. Thus, recognizing the signs of compensated shock allows healthcare providers to