In hypotension due to hypovolemia, what is the primary initial treatment?

In hypotension due to hypovolemia, what is the primary initial treatment?

• A. Vasopressors
• B. Diuretics
• C. Administer fluids and blood
• D. Positioning

Answer: (C)

Hypotension from hypovolemia is driven by a loss of intravascular volume, which drops venous return and preload, reducing cardiac output and organ perfusion. The best first step is rapid volume resuscitation to restore circulating volume. Giving isotonic fluids (such as normal saline or lactated Ringer) immediately helps increase preload and stroke volume; if there is significant blood loss, adding blood products directly improves oxygen carrying capacity and perfusion. Vasopressors don’t fix the underlying volume deficit and are not the initial move here, as they can raise afterload without restoring preload. Diuretics would worsen the hypotension by removing volume. Positioning alone also doesn’t correct the volume deficit. So, administering fluids and blood is the appropriate initial treatment.

Hypotension from hypovolemia is driven by a loss of intravascular volume, which drops venous return and preload, reducing cardiac output and organ perfusion. The best first step is rapid volume resuscitation to restore circulating volume. Giving isotonic fluids (such as normal saline or lactated Ringer) immediately helps increase preload and stroke volume; if there is significant blood loss, adding blood products directly improves oxygen carrying capacity and perfusion. Vasopressors don’t fix the underlying volume deficit and are not the initial move here, as they can raise afterload without restoring preload. Diuretics would worsen the hypotension by removing volume. Positioning alone also doesn’t correct the volume deficit. So, administering fluids and blood is the appropriate initial treatment.