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  • Shock dose

    In cardioversion and defibrillation, the energy in joules selected to terminate an abnormal heart rhythm.  

  • Shockable rhythm

    In emergency cardiac care, any of the following cardiac rhythm disturbances: ventricular fibrillation, pulseless ventricular tachycardia or some poorly tolerated supraventricular tachycardias (e.g., some instances of rapid atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, or AV nodal re-entrant tachycardia). By contrast, asystole, pulseless electrical activity, heart blocks, and the bradycardias are not shockable. Defibrillation or cardioversion of these…

  • Traumatic shock

    Shock due to injury or surgery. In the abdomen, it may result from hemorrhage and/or peritonitis secondary to a disrupted or perforated viscus. A state of diminished bodily functions occurring as a response to injury, characterized by a depletion of body fluids or insufficient oxygen supply. Indications of traumatic shock encompass a feeble and accelerated…

  • Surgical shock

    Shock following operations and including traumatic shock. A highly critical state characterized by the total failure of bodily functions, typically arising from severe bleeding, extensive burns or scalds, or significant crush injuries.  

  • Psychogenic shock

    Shock due to emotional stress or to seeing an injury or accident.  

  • Protein shock

    Shock reaction resulting from parenteral administration of a protein.  

  • Irreversible shock

    Shock of such intensity that even heroic therapy cannot prevent death.  

  • Hypoglycemic shock

    Shock produced by extremely low blood sugars (e.g., less than 40 mg/dl), usually caused by an injection of an excessive amount of insulin, failure to eat after an insulin injection, or rarely by an insulin-secreting tumor of the pancreas. Insulin-related hypoglycemic shock may be intentionally induced in the treatment of certain psychiatric conditions.  

  • Endotoxic shock

    Septic shock due to release of endotoxins by gram-negative bacteria. Endotoxins are lipopolysaccharides in the cell walls that are released during both reproduction and destruction of the bacteria. They are potent stimulators of inflammation, activating macrophages, B lymphocytes, and cytokines and producing vasodilation, increased capillary permeability, and activation of the complement and coagulation cascades.  

  • Deferred shock

    Shock occurring several hours to a day after an injury or illness.  

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