Florida State Paramedic Practice Exam

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In a scenario where a patient shows signs of hypovolemic shock, what is a common heart rate reading?

  1. 60 BPM

  2. 80 BPM

  3. 100 BPM

  4. 120 BPM

The correct answer is: 100 BPM

In cases of hypovolemic shock, the body responds to a decrease in blood volume by attempting to maintain adequate blood flow to vital organs. One of the physiological responses to compensate for low blood volume is an increase in heart rate, which helps to pump the remaining blood more effectively throughout the body. A heart rate around 100 beats per minute is indicative of this compensatory mechanism. The sympathetic nervous system activates, leading to an increase in heart rate (tachycardia) in an effort to maintain cardiac output despite the reduced volume of circulating blood. This elevated heart rate is a key sign of the body's attempt to counteract the effects of shock. In summary, a heart rate of approximately 100 BPM is characteristic of hypovolemic shock, reflecting the body's efforts to compensate for decreased blood volume and ensure blood flow to critical organs.

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