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Shock - Treatment

First Aid:

  • Call 911 for immediate medical help.
  • Check the person's airway, breathing, and circulation. If necessary, begin rescue breathing and CPR.
  • Even if the person is able to breathe on his or her own, continue to check rate of breathing at least every 5 minutes until help arrives.
  • If the person is conscious and does NOT have an injury to the head, leg, neck, or spine, place the person in the shock position. Lay the person on the back and elevate the legs about 12 inches. Do NOT elevate the head. If raising the legs will cause pain or potential harm, leave the person lying flat.
  • Give appropriate first aid for any wounds, injuries, or illnesses.
  • Keep the person warm and comfortable. Loosen tight clothing.

IF THE PERSON VOMITS OR DROOLS

  • Turn the head to one side so he or she will not choke. Do this as long as there is no suspicion of spinal injury.
  • If a spinal injury is suspected, "log roll" him or her instead. Keep the person's head, neck, and back in line, and roll him or her as a unit.

Do Not:

  • Do NOT give the person anything by mouth, including anything to eat or drink.
  • Do NOT move the person with a known or suspected spinal injury.
  • Do NOT wait for milder shock symptoms to worsen before calling for emergency medical help.

Call immediately for emergency medical assistance if:

Call 911 any time a person has symptoms of shock. Stay with the person and follow the first aid steps until medical help arrives.

  • Reviewed last on: 1/10/2010
  • Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Jones AE, Kline JA. Shock. In: Marx JA, ed. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2009:chap 4.

Parrillo JE. Approach to the patient with shock. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 107.

Maier RV. Approach to the patient with shock. In: Fauci AS, Harrison TR, eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York, NY: McGraw Hill; 2008:chap 264.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
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