STAT Stitch Deep Dive Podcast Beyond The Bedside

PALS | Management of Shock


Listen Later

1️⃣ Types of Pediatric Shock (Know These Cold)

  • Hypovolemic 🩸: dehydration, hemorrhage
  • Distributive 🌡️: sepsis (most common), anaphylaxis, neurogenic
  • Cardiogenic ❤️: congenital heart disease, myocarditis
  • Obstructive 🚫: tension pneumo, tamponade, PE

2️⃣ Universal Signs of Shock (High Yield)

  • Tachycardia (earliest sign)
  • Delayed cap refill > 2 sec
  • Cool, mottled, pale skin
  • Weak or thready pulses
  • Altered mental status
  • Oliguria / ↓ urine output
  • Hypotension = late and pre-arrest

3️⃣ General Management Principles (ALL Shock Types)

A. Immediate Actions 🆘

  • Call for help / PALS team
  • Airway & breathing: O₂ to maintain SpO₂ > 94%
  • Cardiac monitor + large-bore IV/IO access
  • Check glucose (treat <70 mg/dL)

B. Fluid Resuscitation ⚡

  • 20 mL/kg isotonic fluid bolus (NS or LR)
  • Give rapidly over 5–10 min
  • Reassess after each bolus
  • Can repeat up to 60 mL/kg (except cardiogenic shock)

4️⃣ Shock-Specific Management

🩸 A. Hypovolemic Shock (Most Common)

Problem: ↓ preload Treatment:

  • 20 mL/kg boluses x3
  • Control bleeding
  • Treat dehydration (fluids + electrolytes)
  • Monitor for improvement: HR ↓, cap refill ↑

🌡️ B. Distributive Shock (Septic, Anaphylactic, Neurogenic)

1. Septic Shock

Problem: vasodilation + capillary leak Treatment:

  • 20 mL/kg boluses (often large volumes needed)
  • Broad-spectrum antibiotics within 1 hour
  • Vasopressors if fluid-refractory:
    • Epinephrine or norepinephrine
  • Correct glucose & electrolytes
  • Warm the child

2. Anaphylactic Shock

Problem: massive vasodilation + airway obstruction Treatment:

  • IM Epinephrine 0.01 mg/kg (1:1000) ASAP
  • Airway support
  • Albuterol neb for wheeze
  • IV fluids
  • Diphenhydramine + steroids (adjuncts)

3. Neurogenic Shock

Problem: loss of sympathetic tone Treatment:

  • Judicious fluids
  • Vasopressors (epi or norepi)
  • Maintain spinal precautions

❤️ C. Cardiogenic Shock

Problem: ineffective pump DO NOT flood with large fluid boluses.

Management

  • Small boluses: 5–10 mL/kg
  • Inotropes:
    • Epinephrine
    • Dopamine
    • Milrinone (afterload reduction)
  • Correct arrhythmias
  • Treat myocarditis / congenital issues
  • Consider cardiology consult early
...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

STAT Stitch Deep Dive Podcast Beyond The BedsideBy Regular Guy