Shock!!!! Shock can best be defined as a condition in which systemic blood pressure is inadequate to deliver oxygen and nutrients to support vital organs and cellular function (Mikhail, 1999). Ade- quate blood flow to the tissues and cells requires the following components: adequate cardiac pump, effective vasculature or cir- culatory system, and sufficient blood volume. When one com- ponent is impaired, blood flow to the tissues is threatened or compromised. Without treatment, inadequate blood flow to the tissues results in poor delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the cells, cellular starvation, cell death, organ dysfunction progressing to organ failure, and eventual death.
Posted on: Sun, 06 Jul 2014 13:01:20 +0000