Beck's triad features raise suspicion for cardiac tamponade in trauma; which findings are part of the triad?

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Multiple Choice

Beck's triad features raise suspicion for cardiac tamponade in trauma; which findings are part of the triad?

Beck's triad is the classic set of signs for acute cardiac tamponade: hypotension from reduced cardiac filling, muffled heart sounds because the effusion dampens sound transmission, and jugular venous distension from impaired venous return to the heart. In trauma, this combination points to the heart being compressed by fluid under the pericardium, limiting preload and decreasing cardiac output. The other findings listed don’t specifically indicate tamponade: chest pain with tachycardia is non-specific, hypotension with clear lungs suggests hypovolemia or another shock state, and cough with fever points toward infection rather than tamponade.

Beck's triad is the classic set of signs for acute cardiac tamponade: hypotension from reduced cardiac filling, muffled heart sounds because the effusion dampens sound transmission, and jugular venous distension from impaired venous return to the heart. In trauma, this combination points to the heart being compressed by fluid under the pericardium, limiting preload and decreasing cardiac output. The other findings listed don’t specifically indicate tamponade: chest pain with tachycardia is non-specific, hypotension with clear lungs suggests hypovolemia or another shock state, and cough with fever points toward infection rather than tamponade.

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