When performing a primary assessment, one of the first signs that the body may be in shock is:

During a primary assessment, one of the earliest signs that the body may be entering shock is tachycardia, which refers to an increased heart rate. This physiological response occurs as the body tries to compensate for a decreased volume of blood or reduced blood flow to vital organs.

When the body senses that it is not receiving adequate oxygenation or perfusion, the heart increases its rate in an effort to circulate blood more rapidly and deliver oxygen to tissues. This response is typically one of the first indicators that a patient may be in shock, as the cardiovascular system tries to maintain homeostasis in the face of various stressors.

Other options might indicate various conditions, but they are typically not initial signs of shock. For example, shortness of breath can occur due to many other causes, hypotension (low blood pressure) is often a later indicator that shock is present, and restlessness may be a sign of multiple issues, including anxiety or decreased perfusion, but it is not as directly indicative as tachycardia in the early stages of shock. Therefore, recognizing tachycardia as an initial sign during the primary assessment is crucial for timely intervention in potential shock cases.