In Class 3 hypovolemic shock, mental status is described as?

In Class 3 hypovolemic shock, mental status is described as?

• A. Anxious and confused
• B. Alert
• C. Lethargic
• D. Agitated

Answer: (A)

In moderate blood loss from hypovolemic shock (Class III), cerebral perfusion drops enough to affect mental status. Patients commonly feel anxious and restless as a result of sympathetic activation trying to preserve perfusion. If perfusion continues to decline, confusion or disorientation can develop. This combination—anxious and confused—is the typical description for Class III. An alert mental status fits compensated shock, while lethargy indicates more severe, late-stage hypoperfusion, and agitation is less consistently associated with this specific stage.

In moderate blood loss from hypovolemic shock (Class III), cerebral perfusion drops enough to affect mental status. Patients commonly feel anxious and restless as a result of sympathetic activation trying to preserve perfusion. If perfusion continues to decline, confusion or disorientation can develop. This combination—anxious and confused—is the typical description for Class III. An alert mental status fits compensated shock, while lethargy indicates more severe, late-stage hypoperfusion, and agitation is less consistently associated with this specific stage.