A 14-year-old boy was brought in a collapsed state with history of 2 episodes of vomiting and had feeble pulse and cold, clammy limbs. ECG is given (Figure). What is the diagnosis?
**Question:** A 14-year-old boy was brought in a collapsed state with history of 2 episodes of vomiting and had feeble pulse and cold, clammy limbs. ECG is given (Figure). What is the diagnosis?
A. Cardiac arrest
B. Hypovolemic shock
C. Pulseless electrical activity
D. Acute myocardial infarction
**Correct Answer:** **B. Hypovolemic shock**
**Core Concept:** Hypovolemic shock occurs when there is a significant reduction in circulating blood volume, leading to inadequate organ perfusion and dysfunction.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right:** The patient presents with signs and symptoms of hypovolemic shock, including collapse, weak pulse (feeble), cold, clammy skin, and history of recent vomiting (likely leading to blood loss). The ECG (Figure) shows sinus bradycardia (slow heart rate), which supports the diagnosis of hypovolemic shock.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**
A. Cardiac arrest is a cessation of heartbeat, not a shock state.
C. Pulseless electrical activity is a specific ECG pattern, not a clinical diagnosis.
D. Acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) causes chest pain and ST-segment elevations in the ECG, not the described ECG pattern.
**Clinical Pearl:** Hypovolemic shock is a time-sensitive condition that requires prompt fluid resuscitation and potentially vasopressors to restore blood volume and perfusion. Rapid assessment and intervention are crucial to improve prognosis.