Which of the following is a sign of shock?

An elevated heart rate is a key indicator of shock, as the body attempts to compensate for inadequate blood flow and oxygen delivery to organs. In shock, the cardiovascular system struggles to maintain perfusion, leading the heart to pump faster in an effort to increase blood circulation. This response is a physiological adaptation to counteract the drop in blood pressure and overall circulation that characterizes shock states.

In contrast, increased energy levels would be atypical in a person experiencing shock, as they often present with signs of fatigue and weakness due to inadequate oxygenation and metabolic distress. Low body temperature is also not a direct sign of shock; in many cases, patients in shock may have a normal or elevated temperature, especially if they are experiencing septic shock. Excessive sweating can occur in certain shock states, but it is not as definitive as heart rate changes, which are consistently observed across varying types of shock. Thus, the elevated heart rate remains a critical sign that practitioners look for when assessing a patient potentially experiencing shock.