Management of acute hypotension

First actions should be:

• ensure the patency of the airway
• administer oxygen via a mask
• lie the patient head-down
• regularly check the pulse to ensure at least some cardiac output
• obtain i.v. access
• give i.v. fluids as long as the patient does not have pulmonary oedema
• obtain an electrocardiogram - check for arrhythmias
• listen to the chest to exclude tension pneumothorax
• listen to the heart to detect structural lesions
• correct acute blood loss by transfusion
  
  
• if the blood pressure is nil then give 1 mg adrenaline i.v., call an arrest team and initiate resuscitation