Which finding would indicate ongoing blood loss in a child after trauma?

Weak peripheral pulses in a child after trauma can indicate ongoing blood loss. When a child is experiencing blood loss, the body responds by redirecting blood flow to vital organs, such as the heart and brain. As a result, the extremities may receive less blood, leading to weak or diminished peripheral pulses. This is a crucial assessment finding because it can signal significant fluid volume loss or hypovolemic shock, both of which require immediate intervention.

Widening pulse pressure typically suggests increased intracranial pressure rather than blood loss. Bradycardia is often a late sign of significant hypovolemia and may indicate a severe compensatory mechanism, but it is not as directly indicative of ongoing blood loss. Decreasing diastolic blood pressure may occur in various clinical scenarios but is not as specific on its own for identifying ongoing blood loss compared to the assessment of pulse strength. Thus, weak peripheral pulses provide a clear and direct indication of potential hypovolemia following trauma in pediatric patients.