Which sign would you expect in the early stages of shock?

• A. Thready pulses.
• B. Unconsciousness.
• C. Hypotension.
• D. Restlessness.

Answer: (D)

In the early stages of shock, the body activates the sympathetic fight-or-flight response to preserve perfusion to vital organs. This leads to rapid heart rate and rapid breathing, plus mental status changes as the brain starts to receive less oxygen. Among the signs listed, restlessness best reflects this early compensatory phase: the patient becomes anxious or agitated as perfusion to the brain declines, even though blood pressure may still be normal due to vasoconstriction.

Thready pulses and hypotension indicate worsening perfusion and typically appear as shock progresses and compensatory mechanisms begin to fail. Unconsciousness is a late sign, occurring after more extensive cerebral hypoperfusion.