Beck's triad for cardiac tamponade includes which combination of findings?

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Multiple Choice

Beck's triad for cardiac tamponade includes which combination of findings?

Beck's triad reflects the hemodynamic effects of pericardial tamponade. The heart is compressed by fluid in the pericardial sac, which limits diastolic filling and reduces cardiac output, leading to low blood pressure. The impaired filling also causes elevated jugular venous pressure, so neck veins appear distended. The external fluid dampens heart sounds, resulting in muffled or distant tones. Sometimes pulsus paradoxus appears as an exaggerated drop in systolic BP with inspiration. The other descriptions don’t fit tamponade: hypertension with tachycardia and pleural effusion isn’t the tamponade pattern; chest pain with fever and dyspnea points more to infection or pulmonary issues; edema with ascites and hepatomegaly suggests chronic right‑sided failure or liver disease rather than acute tamponade.

Beck's triad reflects the hemodynamic effects of pericardial tamponade. The heart is compressed by fluid in the pericardial sac, which limits diastolic filling and reduces cardiac output, leading to low blood pressure. The impaired filling also causes elevated jugular venous pressure, so neck veins appear distended. The external fluid dampens heart sounds, resulting in muffled or distant tones. Sometimes pulsus paradoxus appears as an exaggerated drop in systolic BP with inspiration.

The other descriptions don’t fit tamponade: hypertension with tachycardia and pleural effusion isn’t the tamponade pattern; chest pain with fever and dyspnea points more to infection or pulmonary issues; edema with ascites and hepatomegaly suggests chronic right‑sided failure or liver disease rather than acute tamponade.

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