Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

Which vital sign would most likely indicate a shock state in a patient?

1. Bradycardia

2. Thready pulse

3. High blood pressure

4. Fever

The correct answer is: Thready pulse

A thready pulse is a vital sign that can indicate a shock state in a patient. In cases of shock, the body's compensatory mechanisms begin to fail, leading to reduced blood flow and perfusion to the extremities and vital organs. This often results in the pulse feeling weak and difficult to detect, described as thready. A thready pulse signifies that the heart is not effectively pumping adequate blood volume, which is characteristic of various types of shock, such as hypovolemic or cardiogenic shock. In contrast, other vital signs such as bradycardia, high blood pressure, and fever do not typically align with the physiological responses seen during shock. Bradycardia may be present in certain types of shock but is not a universal indicator. High blood pressure can occur in early stages of shock as compensatory mechanisms are still active. Fever can indicate there is an infection, which may lead to septic shock but is not a direct indicator of shock itself. Therefore, a thready pulse is the most reliable vital sign to highlight the presence of shock in a patient.