What is an indicator of possible internal bleeding?

Unexplained hypotension and tachycardia are recognized indicators of possible internal bleeding. Hypotension, or low blood pressure, often suggests that there is not enough blood volume circulating, which can occur when blood is lost internally. This drop in blood pressure can result in inadequate tissue perfusion, leading to any number of concerning physiological responses.

Tachycardia, or an increased heart rate, is the body's compensatory mechanism in response to decreased blood volume or blood pressure. The heart beats faster to try and maintain adequate circulation and oxygen delivery to vital organs. When a patient demonstrates both unexplained hypotension and tachycardia together, it raises significant concern for internal bleeding that could be either traumatic or non-traumatic in nature.

In contrast, other options may indicate different medical issues or conditions. High blood pressure combined with bradycardia might suggest a different physiological response, such as increased intracranial pressure. Swelling in one limb could indicate a localized issue such as thrombosis or infection rather than systemic internal bleeding. Excessive bruising without trauma may suggest a bleeding disorder or other underlying conditions but does not specifically indicate internal bleeding as strongly as the combination of hypotension and tachycardia does.