A patient with chest trauma has hypotension, muffled heart sounds and distended neck veins. What is this triad called and what is the diagnosis?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. Beck's triad
- Step 1: Hypotension, raised JVP and muffled heart sounds together describe a specific named triad. Step 2. It is Beck's triad, from blood or fluid in the pericardium impairing ventricular filling. Answer: Beck's triad. Why not the others: Charcot's triad is fever, jaundice and right upper quadrant pain. Virchow's triad is stasis, hypercoagulability and endothelial injury. Cushing's triad is hypertension, bradycardia and irregular breathing.
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