What is one of the earliest signs of hypovolemic shock?

Anxiety is often one of the earliest signs of hypovolemic shock due to the body's response to decreased blood volume and subsequent stress. When the body begins to experience a lack of adequate perfusion, it activates the sympathetic nervous system, which can result in feelings of anxiety and restlessness. This serves as an early indicator of the body's distress as it struggles to maintain blood flow to vital organs.

In the context of hypovolemic shock, while altered mental status, hypotension, and pale, cool extremities are significant signs of progression towards shock, they usually appear later as the condition worsens. Anxiety, on the other hand, is a more immediate response that can be observed early on, as the individual senses the physiological changes occurring due to decreased perfusion. Recognizing this early sign is crucial in emergency settings, as it may prompt timely intervention to address the underlying hypovolemia before more severe complications arise.