Which of the following best describes early vital signs of hemorrhagic shock?

• A. Hypertension and warm skin
• B. Tachycardia, tachypnea, cool skin, and delayed capillary refill
• C. Bradypnea and moist mucous membranes
• D. Atense paraplegia

Answer: (B)

Early hemorrhagic shock triggers the body's compensatory response to preserve blood flow to vital organs. The heart speeds up to maintain cardiac output as circulating volume drops, so tachycardia is an early sign. Breathing also quickens (tachypnea) to improve oxygen delivery and aid acid-base compensation. At the same time, the body constricts peripheral vessels to keep blood central, which cools the skin and reduces blood flow to the extremities, making skin feel cool and leading to delayed capillary refill. Together, these signs—rapid pulse, fast breathing, cool/clammy skin, and delayed capillary refill—reflect the early compensatory stage of hemorrhagic shock.

Hypertension and warm skin aren’t typical early findings in this scenario, because vasoconstriction in shock tends to cool the skin rather than warm it. Bradypnea would not fit the compensatory pattern, and moist mucous membranes aren’t a hallmark of early hemorrhagic shock.