ABSTRACT
Common clinical manifestations of all types of shock include relative hypotension, tachycardia, poor skin perfusion, and organ system dysfunction. Signs of organ system dysfunction include oliguria (renal hypoperfusion) and altered mental status (brain hypoperfusion). In this patient with relative hypotension and tachycardia, we must suspect this patient may be in the early stages of shock. We should determine what his baseline blood pressure and heart rate values are in order to better interpret his current vital signs. He has an elevated serum creatinine which may reflect renal hypoperfusion, but we should determine what his baseline creatinine is. His clinical presentation is concerning for abdominal sepsis and septic shock from perforated viscus.
