Which assessment finding is indicative of hypovolemic shock?

The assessment finding indicative of hypovolemic shock is characterized by decreased blood pressure and increased heart rate. In hypovolemic shock, there is a significant loss of blood volume, which leads to inadequate perfusion of the body's tissues. As a compensatory mechanism, the heart rate increases in an attempt to maintain cardiac output and ensure that blood reaches vital organs.

Decreased blood pressure occurs due to reduced circulating volume; as blood volume drops, the pressure within the blood vessels also diminishes. This combination of low blood pressure and elevated heart rate is a classic sign of the body's response to hypovolemia, as the cardiovascular system attempts to compensate for the reduced volume and maintain essential functions.

Other choices do not align with the physiological responses seen in hypovolemic shock. Increased blood pressure with decreased heart rate would typically indicate an overactive cardiovascular response, which is not consistent with hypovolemia. Stable blood pressure with increased respiratory rate may arise in other conditions but doesn't specifically indicate hypovolemic shock, and normal heart rate with decreased temperature does not reflect the stress responses seen in shock states.