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What body position may help improve circulation in a person experiencing hypovolemic shock?
Sitting upright
Lying flat
Elevating the legs
Hunching over
The correct answer is: Elevating the legs
Elevating the legs is a recommended body position for improving circulation in a person experiencing hypovolemic shock. When the legs are raised, it promotes venous return to the heart, thereby increasing blood flow to vital organs. This can help counteract the effects of low blood volume, which is characteristic of hypovolemic shock. Properly elevating the legs encourages blood to flow from the lower extremities back toward the core of the body, enhancing the overall circulation and potentially stabilizing the person’s condition. This technique is often used in emergency settings to improve perfusion before medical intervention can be administered. Other positions, such as sitting upright or hunching over, could hinder blood flow and worsen the patient’s condition by not facilitating proper venous return. Lying flat may not be as effective as elevating the legs, especially in cases where more immediate blood redistribution is needed.