Which of the following signs indicate cardiac tamponade?

• A. Tachycardia; Dyspnea; Narrow pulse pressure; Muffled heart sounds
• B. Bradycardia; Hypertension; Wide pulse pressure; Loud S1
• C. Normal vitals
• D. Cough and fever

Answer: (A)

Cardiac tamponade happens when fluid around the heart raises intrapericardial pressure and prevents the ventricles from filling properly, lowering cardiac output. The signs you’d expect are tachycardia as the body tries to compensate, shortness of breath from reduced filling, and a narrowed pulse pressure because blood pressure falls with little difference between systolic and diastolic values. Muffled heart sounds come from the surrounding fluid dampening the heartbeat. JVD and hypotension are also common, and pulsus paradoxus can be present. The other options don’t fit because bradycardia, hypertension, wide pulse pressure, or loud S1 aren’t typical for tamponade, and cough with fever or normal vitals point toward different problems.