Fluid challenge: when and how to do it

KEY POINTS

• Shock occurs when the cardiovascular system is unable to supply adequate amounts of blood and nutrients to the body. This leads to tissue hypoxia
• If shock is not rapidly reversed, organ damage will occur and become irreversible
• The majority of patients with shock require treatment with intravenous fluids
• If initial fluid resuscitation does not work, arrange for invasive haemodynamic monitoring
• When shock is unresponsive to adequate resuscitation with fluids, start inotropic or vasopressor therapy