Final answer:
In a patient suffering from hypovolemic shock, the blood pressure is typically decreased. The primary cause of hypovolemic shock is the loss of blood volume. Treatment involves restoring fluid volume and raising blood pressure.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a patient suffering from hypovolemic shock, the blood pressure is typically decreased.
The primary cause of hypovolemic shock is the loss of blood volume, which can occur due to conditions such as hemorrhage, severe vomiting or diarrhea, burns, or excessive urine loss. When the blood volume decreases, the body tries to compensate by increasing the heart rate and constricting blood vessels to maintain blood flow to vital organs.
However, despite these compensatory mechanisms, the overall blood pressure tends to decrease. The patient may present with a weak pulse, cool and clammy skin, rapid shallow breathing, thirst, and a dry mouth. Treatment for hypovolemic shock involves restoring fluid volume through intravenous fluids and using medications to raise blood pressure.