Hypovolemic Shock Case Study

While the respiratory and cardiovascular systems are most reliant on one another, all body systems require a functioning circulatory cycle in order to thrive. Blood circulation and consistent transfer of oxygen to cells is required to maintain cell and tissue life. Disturbances to this process will cause cells and tissues to die (Red Cross 48). This state of balance and functioning body systems is referred to as homeostasis, defined as a “condition of equilibrium in the body’s internal environment due to constant interaction of body’s many regulatory processes” (Tortura 8). Changes or disruptions to homeostasis are regulated by the Endocrine and Nervous systems of the body. The endocrine system is made up of glands placed throughout the body

that regulate other systems by secreting hormones into the bloodstream. These hormones will cause gradual changes. More rapid and sudden changes will occur from the Nervous system, made up of the brain, spinal cord, and nerve fibers. Nerve fibers spread throughout the body, and use impulses sent up the spinal cord to the brain to deliver messages, and receive messages from the brain when changes in the body need to occur. Both systems contribute to the body’s various feedback systems, which monitor and re-monitor any changes to assess the best way for the body to return to homeostasis when disruptions occur. (9). When feedback systems within the body sense a severe imbalance of fluid volume or severe fluid loss, the body will go into Hypovolemic shock to try and compensate and return to homeostasis. Body systems help contribute to this compensation in various ways, but are dependent on what has caused the fluid loss or the gradual change of condition the individual is in.

All types of shock stem from the failure of the cardiovascular system to deliver oxygen and nutrients to maintain cell and tissue life throughout the body (Tortura 781).

Hypovolemic shock specifically disrupts the cardiovascular system from a significant loss of blood volume that causes blood pressure to deplete and oxygen delivery to cells to slow. A victim entering into hypovolemic shock will experience three sequential stages as the body attempts to maintain homeostasis. These stages are named compensated, decompensated, and irreversible (Wang

157).

The first phases of hypovolemic shock is the compensated phase where majority of body’s methods are utilized to try to maintain adequate fluid volume.

Each system, as noted early, contributes to reversing cause of shock in this phase. The first of this will be seen when cause of shock is from hemorrhage and significant blood loss from the body, and all components of the hematologic system, or from blood, has its own function as a response (Kolecki “Pathophysiology”). The body’s process of quickly locating and slowing down bleeding within the body is called hemostasis. As soon as a blood vessel is broken, both the liquid and solid components within the blood effect how the body responds (Tortura 703).

The largest component of the blood is the Plasma, a liquid substance made up of 91.5% water and 8.5% solutes that is responsible for over half the blood’s total volume. This liquid portion of the blood is vital for maintaining blood pressure within the body that helps capillary exchange. (Tortura 691-692). Cases of hemorrhagic or hypovolemic shock, a severe reduction in plasma is what triggers the body’s feedback systems, and compensation for fluid loss will stem from pulling of water from other

organs.

When bleeding occurs somewhere in the body, the solid components of the blood each have their own unique responses as well. These components are called the Red Blood Cells (RBCs), White Blood Cells (WBCs), and Platelets. RBCs are formed cells that hold the oxygen within the blood. These cells are made of a hollow membrane that can hold oxygen and is flexible enough to squeeze through small vessels like the capillaries. (Tortura 696). When blood loss is significant enough to disturb oxygen transfer to cells, the body attempts to compensate by mass producing in the skeletal tissue (Red Cross 159). Another formed cell is the WBCs or leukocytes that hold the primary function of preventing infection in the blood stream. At the site of a broken blood vessel, especially with wounds that have broken through the skin, WBCs will gather around the point of entry to fight infection and prevent any further damage to systems (Tortura 699). However, in the case of hemostasis, the most important contributors are the Platelets, cell fragments that are held together with a membrane (702). As severe bleeding occurs, various chemicals and enzymes are contained within platelets activate, causing the cells to become sticky and encourage accumulation to each other. This coagulation of platelets at the wounds entry site will eventually form a solid plug, resulting in effective clotting of the sight. . Clotting is essential to stop major bleeding of vessels throughout the body, especially in the case of hemorrhagic or hypovolemic shock (704).