Hemodynamically Unstable

Symptoms

  1. Dizziness or Syncope:
    • Due to decreased cerebral perfusion.
  2. Cold, Clammy Skin:
    • Suggests peripheral vasoconstriction and hypovolemia.
  3. Altered Mental Status:
    • Confusion or lethargy from cerebral hypoperfusion.
    • Vital Signs:

      1. Hypotension:
        • Systolic blood pressure <90 mmHg or a significant drop from the patient's baseline.
      2. Tachycardia:
        • Heart rate >100 beats per minute as a compensatory response to blood loss.
      3. Orthostatic Hypotension:
        • A drop in systolic BP of ≥20 mmHg or diastolic BP of ≥10 mmHg upon standing.
      4. Narrowed Pulse Pressure:
        • Indicates reduced stroke volume.

Physical Exam Findings:

  1. Pallor:
    • Indicative of anemia and poor perfusion.
  2. Delayed Capillary Refill:
    • Capillary refill time >2 seconds.
  3. Jugular Venous Collapse:
    • May indicate significant intravascular volume depletion.

Laboratory Findings Suggestive of Instability:

  1. Hemoglobin Drop:
    • Indicates ongoing blood loss, though it may lag behind acute losses.
  2. Elevated Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN):
    • Often disproportionate to creatinine due to increased protein breakdown from blood in the gastrointestinal tract.

Additional Indicators:

  1. Decreased Urine Output:
    • <0.5 mL/kg/hour, reflecting hypoperfusion to the kidneys.
  2. Evidence of Shock:
    • Clinical signs consistent with hypovolemic or hemorrhagic shock.

Management

 

 

 

Management and Determining the Cause

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