Respirations as shock progresses are described as

Respirations as shock progresses are described as

• A. They become shallower
• B. Deeper and more rapid
• C. Absent
• D. Normal

Answer: (A)

As shock progresses, breathing tends to become rapid but shallow. The body tries to compensate by increasing the rate to support oxygen delivery and perfusion, but the respiratory muscles fatigue, reducing the depth of each breath (tidal volume). So you see quick, shallow respirations rather than deep, slow or normal breathing. If shock continues to worsen, the pattern can deteriorate further toward apnea, but the characteristic change during progression is shallower breaths.

As shock progresses, breathing tends to become rapid but shallow. The body tries to compensate by increasing the rate to support oxygen delivery and perfusion, but the respiratory muscles fatigue, reducing the depth of each breath (tidal volume). So you see quick, shallow respirations rather than deep, slow or normal breathing. If shock continues to worsen, the pattern can deteriorate further toward apnea, but the characteristic change during progression is shallower breaths.