If a tamponade patient becomes hypotensive, what is the priority action?

• A. Administer IV fluids and place in Trendelenburg.
• B. Call rapid response and prepare emergency treatment.
• C. Start antibiotics.
• D. Apply external warming.

Answer: (B)

When tamponade causes hypotension, the immediate goal is to relieve the obstruction to cardiac filling. The priority action is to activate rapid response and prepare for emergency treatment to decompress the pericardium (pericardiocentesis or surgical drainage) as soon as possible. This direct intervention addresses the underlying problem and can rapidly restore hemodynamics.

Supportive steps like IV fluids or placing the patient in a Trendelenburg position may be used briefly to stabilize the patient, but they do not resolve the cause and are not the main action. Antibiotics and external warming do not address the hemodynamic crisis of tamponade.