The principles of cardiovascular management involve the ensurance of adequate circulating blood volume by controlling haemorrhage and replacing lost fluid. Any patient who is cold, clammy, sweating and restless is in hypovolaemic shock until proven otherwise.
External bleeding should be controlled by the application of direct pressure - not tourniquets, and intravenous access should be gained immediately, so that fluids may be infused.
Relieve cardiac tamponade by long needle aspiration, and perform cardiac resuscitation if arrest occurs.
Catheterisation of the bladder should also be performed to allow assessment of urine production and thus renal perfusion. Blood gases should also be analysed and a cardiac monitor attached.
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