Which of the following is NOT a typical sign of shock?

• A. Pale, cool, moist skin.
• B. Restlessness and rapid heartbeat.
• C. High fever with sweating.
• D. Altered level of consciousness.

Answer: (C)

Shock is a state where the body's circulation can't deliver enough blood and oxygen to tissues, so the signs you look for reflect poor perfusion. Pale, cool, moist skin happens because the body clamps down blood vessels to keep essential organs going, which makes the skin feel cool and clammy. Restlessness or agitation and a rapid heartbeat occur as the heart tries to compensate for the falling blood flow. An altered level of consciousness happens when the brain isn’t getting enough blood. High fever with sweating, however, points more to infection or heat-related illness than to the immediate perfusion failure seen in shock, so it isn’t part of the typical shock pattern (even though septic shock can involve fever, the usual signs focus on cold, clammy skin and changes in mental status and pulse).