Which triad of clinical signs classic for acute cardiac tamponade comprises hypotension, jugular venous distension, and muffled heart sounds?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. Beck triad
- Step 1: Acute accumulation of pericardial fluid increases intrapericardial pressure, impeding ventricular diastolic filling.
- Step 2: The classic constellation of hypotension, distant muffled heart sounds, and elevated jugular venous pressure constitutes Beck triad.
Answer
Beck triad.
Why not the others: Charcot triad consists of right upper quadrant pain, fever, and jaundice seen in acute ascending cholangitis. Virchow triad describes endothelial injury, stasis, and hypercoagulability predisposing to thrombosis. Cushing triad consists of hypertension, bradycardia, and irregular respirations in elevated intracranial pressure.
Practise more Cardiovascular and Respiratory Medicine.
Free questions with an explanation for every one, and full timed DHA Dubai mock tests.
More Cardiovascular and Respiratory Medicine questions
- A 64-year-old female presents with orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, and bilateral lower extremity pitting edema. Echocardiography re…
- A 42-year-old male with a history of deep vein thrombosis presents with sudden-onset pleuritic chest pain and dyspnea. Vital signs show HR 1…
- A 70-year-old male presents with exertional syncope, angina, and dyspnea. Physical examination reveals a late-peaking harsh crescendo-decres…
- A 60-year-old female with long-standing poorly controlled hypertension presents for routine review. Her ECG reveals regular narrow-complex t…
- A 55-year-old male with a 30 pack-year smoking history presents with chronic productive cough and progressive exertional breathlessness. Pos…
- A 28-year-old male is brought to the emergency department following an acute severe asthma attack. Arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis on room…