Trauma Nurse Core Course (TNCC) Practice Exam

Which sign is characteristic of cardiac tamponade?

1. Bradycardia

2. Hypotension

3. Chest pain

4. Wheezing

The correct answer is: Hypotension

Cardiac tamponade is a critical condition that results from the accumulation of fluid in the pericardial space, leading to increased pressure on the heart. This pressure restricts the heart's ability to fill properly, ultimately reducing cardiac output. One of the hallmark signs of cardiac tamponade is hypotension, which occurs because the heart cannot pump effectively due to this external pressure. In the setting of cardiac tamponade, the body's compensatory mechanisms may attempt to maintain blood pressure, but as the condition progresses, the inability to maintain adequate cardiac output becomes evident. This can manifest as low blood pressure, especially in severe cases. While other symptoms such as bradycardia, chest pain, or wheezing may be present in various cardiac conditions, they are not characteristic indicators of cardiac tamponade. Bradycardia may sometimes occur in different circumstances, but tachycardia is more common as the body attempts to compensate for reduced output. Chest pain can be subjective and is not exclusive to cardiac tamponade, and wheezing relates more to respiratory issues rather than cardiac ones. Thus, hypotension stands out as a direct and significant sign of the impaired hemodynamics associated with cardiac tamponade.