Common Mistakes to Avoid During Shock Treatment & When to Perform First Aid vs Calling for Help

Understanding common errors helps ensure proper shock treatment and prevents worsening the condition.

Critical Mistakes:

1. Waiting for Obvious Symptoms

- Shock can be subtle initially - Early signs often missed - Waiting worsens outcome - Treat based on mechanism of injury - Better to overtreat than undertreat

2. Focusing Only on Obvious Injury

- Missing developing shock - Not monitoring vital signs - Forgetting whole patient - Internal injuries missed - Shock kills more than injuries

3. Improper Positioning

- Elevating head (worsens brain flow) - Sitting patient up - Moving spinal injuries - Not elevating legs - Poor temperature control

4. Giving Fluids

- Can cause vomiting and aspiration - May worsen internal bleeding - Delays surgical treatment - No benefit in field - Only IV fluids help

DO vs. DON'T Comparison List:

| DO | DON'T | |---|---| | Call 911 immediately | Wait for symptoms to worsen | | Elevate legs 8-12 inches | Elevate head or sit up | | Keep person warm | Apply direct heat | | Monitor vital signs q5min | Focus only on injury | | Reassure constantly | Leave person alone | | Control bleeding | Give fluids by mouth | | Maintain airway | Move unnecessarily | | Document changes | Give unprescribed meds |

Recognition Failures:

Assuming "Just Scared"

- Anxiety is early shock sign - Don't dismiss symptoms - Fear doesn't cause physical signs - Better safe than sorry - Trust your instincts

Missing Compensated Shock

- Normal blood pressure misleading - Body compensating temporarily - Look for subtle signs - Consider mechanism of injury - Children compensate longer

Delayed Recognition Consequences

- Harder to reverse - Organ damage begins - Higher mortality - Longer recovery - Preventable deaths

With shock, the decision is simple: ALWAYS call 911 immediately while beginning treatment. However, recognizing who's at risk helps with early intervention.

Always Call 911 For:

Any Signs of Shock:

- Even subtle symptoms - Based on injury mechanism - High-risk patients - Progressive symptoms - Any doubt whatsoever

High-Risk Injuries:

- Significant blood loss - Major trauma - Burns over 10% body - Crushing injuries - Suspected internal bleeding - Severe allergic reactions

High-Risk Patients:

- Elderly (less reserve) - Children (compensate then crash) - Chronic medical conditions - Taking blood thinners - Previous shock episodes

Continue First Aid While Waiting:

Priority Actions:

1. Maintain positioning 2. Control bleeding 3. Monitor constantly 4. Prevent heat loss 5. Reassure patient 6. Document changes 7. Prepare for EMS

Information for EMS:

- Time symptoms started - Mechanism of injury - Vital sign trends - Treatments given - Medical history - Medications taken

> Important Disclaimer: > Shock is a true medical emergency requiring professional treatment. First aid measures are temporary support until advanced medical care arrives. Never delay calling 911 to provide first aid. Some forms of shock require specific medications and IV fluids only available to medical professionals.