Which of the following is a key indicator of hypovolemic shock?

A weak and rapid pulse is a key indicator of hypovolemic shock because it reflects the body’s compensatory mechanisms responding to decreased blood volume. In cases of hypovolemic shock, the loss of significant amounts of blood or fluid leads to a decline in blood pressure. As the body attempts to maintain vital organ perfusion, the heart compensates by increasing its rate in an effort to circulate the remaining blood more efficiently. This results in the characteristic weak and rapid pulse.

In contrast, other options do not accurately represent the physiological responses associated with hypovolemic shock. Elevated blood pressure typically suggests effective circulation and is not a characteristic of hypovolemic shock, where blood pressure tends to drop due to low blood volume. An increased respiratory rate could be observed in hypovolemic shock, but it is often accompanied by poor perfusion signs, such as altered color rather than normal color. A decreased level of consciousness may occur in severe cases but is not as immediate or specific as the changes seen in pulse characteristics during early stages of hypovolemic shock.