In Class 3 hypovolemic shock, the pulse is greater than?

In Class 3 hypovolemic shock, the pulse is greater than?

• A. Greater than 120 bpm
• B. Less than 100 bpm
• C. Greater than 100 bpm
• D. Greater than 140 bpm

Answer: (A)

In hypovolemic shock, the body responds to reduced circulating volume with sympathetic-driven tachycardia to maintain cardiac output. By Class III, which corresponds to roughly 30–40% blood volume loss, this compensatory mechanism produces a pronounced pulse. A heart rate over 120 beats per minute is commonly seen at this stage, reflecting significant shunting of blood to vital organs despite declining preload. While tachycardia above 100 can occur earlier, the threshold most characteristic of Class III is over 120. A pulse above 140 would be more typical of the more severe Class IV stage. This is the reason the best answer is a pulse greater than 120 bpm.

In hypovolemic shock, the body responds to reduced circulating volume with sympathetic-driven tachycardia to maintain cardiac output. By Class III, which corresponds to roughly 30–40% blood volume loss, this compensatory mechanism produces a pronounced pulse. A heart rate over 120 beats per minute is commonly seen at this stage, reflecting significant shunting of blood to vital organs despite declining preload. While tachycardia above 100 can occur earlier, the threshold most characteristic of Class III is over 120. A pulse above 140 would be more typical of the more severe Class IV stage. This is the reason the best answer is a pulse greater than 120 bpm.