Beck's triad is the classic presentation of pericardial tamponade, consisting of hypotension, distended neck veins, and muffled heart sounds. Among these, jugular venous distension (JVD) is the most characteristic and often the earliest sign. It occurs due to increased central venous pressure as the filling of the right atrium is impaired by the surrounding pericardial fluid. While hypotension and muffled heart sounds are also part of Beck's triad, they may not always be present or may develop later in the course of tamponade. Tachycardia is a common finding in tamponade but is not specific to this condition. Chest pain, while it may occur, is not a defining feature of pericardial tamponade.
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What is Beck's triad, and how does it relate to pericardial tamponade?
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Why does jugular venous distension occur in pericardial tamponade?
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What is the significance of the other symptoms like tachycardia and hypotension in the context of pericardial tamponade?
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This question's topic:
BCEN Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) /
Cardiovascular Emergencies
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