Which vital sign changes may indicate possible internal bleeding?

Falling blood pressure combined with an increased heart rate is a classic sign of possible internal bleeding and indicates a compensatory response to hypovolemia. When there is internal bleeding, the body loses blood volume, leading to decreased venous return to the heart. This reduction in blood volume can cause blood pressure to drop. As a compensatory mechanism, the heart rate increases in an attempt to maintain adequate cardiac output despite the lower blood pressure. This combination of vital sign changes signals that the body is experiencing stress, which can be critical in a trauma setting.

In contrast, other choices do not align with the typical physiological responses seen in cases of internal hemorrhaging. For example, increased blood pressure and decreased heart rate would not support the presence of internal bleeding, as the body normally responds to bleeding with a decrease in blood pressure and an increase in heart rate. Stable blood pressure with increasing respiration might suggest a different issue entirely, potentially related to respiratory distress rather than internal bleeding. Lastly, the onset of fever and elevated heart rate often points to infection rather than acute hemorrhage. Understanding these physiological responses helps in recognizing the severity of trauma situations and implementing timely interventions.