休克是以血壓低下為主要原因的危險狀態，對病人的危害性與存活者合併症的嚴重度決定於血壓
下降的程度與恢復至正常灌流的快慢，以及血壓低下期間血中氧合濃度的高低。休克發生的啟動環節主要有四：血容量減少、周邊血管擴張血管容量的擴大、心搏無力與心搏出受限，使有效循
環量減少，低灌流、微循環血液改變和各種毒性物質作用的結果，使細胞發生代謝障礙和功能與
結構的損害，繼而造成重要器官功能衰竭。休克之醫療處置首要為盡快尋求與維持足夠而且有效
之循環血量，也必須尋求最高帶氧能力，以使個體有充分氧合。本文敘述休克之發生與合併症
之病理生理過程，提出生理監測與臨床評估的方法，供臨床病人照顧上之參考。

Shock is a life-threatening situation for which circulatory failure represents a major potential compli-cation. While there are numerous disposing factors, the detrimental impacts on the human body are
similar. Drop in blood pressure is a common clinical presentation. Severity of impact and chance of survival from shock depend heavily on the speed with which blood pressure recovers and tissue oxy-genation is preserved. This article describes the types, pathophysiological process, and major compli-cations of shock, along with relevant disposing factors, risk groups, assessment techniques, monitoring skills and nursing care.