Which of the following is a symptom of shock?

• A. Restlessness
• B. Fainting
• C. Dizziness
• D. Thirst

Answer: (D)

Thirst signals a drop in circulating fluid volume, which is a key feature of shock. When the body loses blood or fluids, tissues don’t receive enough oxygen, and the brain increases the drive to drink in an attempt to restore volume. That sensation—feeling thirsty—often accompanies early stages of shock caused by dehydration or bleeding. While restlessness, fainting, and dizziness are also signs that can appear with shock, thirst specifically points to the fluid-volume aspect of the condition and helps indicate that perfusion is dropping. Recognizing thirst as a symptom helps you identify potential hypovolemic shock and assess the need for fluid replacement as appropriate.