Which finding indicates an early sign of shock in a postpartum client who is bleeding?

Which finding indicates an early sign of shock in a postpartum client who is bleeding?

• A. Complaints of abdominal cramping
• B. An increased pulse rate of 80 to 120 beats/min
• C. Complaints of feeling tired yet is feeling hungry
• D. An increase in the respiratory rate from 18 to 22 breaths/min

Answer: (B)

Early signs of shock from postpartum hemorrhage appear as the body tries to compensate for falling blood volume, with the heart reacting first. A faster pulse is the most reliable early indicator because increasing the heart rate helps maintain cardiac output when circulating volume drops. A pulse in the 80–120 beats per minute range shows this compensatory tachycardia and points to early, compensated hypovolemic shock in a bleeding postpartum client. Abdominal cramping reflects uterine involution, not shock. Feeling tired and hungry is nonspecific and not a hallmark of shock. A slight increase in breathing rate can occur but is less sensitive and specific than tachycardia for early shock.

Early signs of shock from postpartum hemorrhage appear as the body tries to compensate for falling blood volume, with the heart reacting first. A faster pulse is the most reliable early indicator because increasing the heart rate helps maintain cardiac output when circulating volume drops. A pulse in the 80–120 beats per minute range shows this compensatory tachycardia and points to early, compensated hypovolemic shock in a bleeding postpartum client. Abdominal cramping reflects uterine involution, not shock. Feeling tired and hungry is nonspecific and not a hallmark of shock. A slight increase in breathing rate can occur but is less sensitive and specific than tachycardia for early shock.