Cardiac tamponade
Structured condition card with NCLEX priority cues and nursing action focus.
Cardiachigh priorityneeds review
Cardiac tamponade
Also testable as: Pericardial tamponade, Beck triad
Etiology / Pathophysiology
- Fluid or blood accumulates in the pericardial sac after trauma, procedure, malignancy, infection, or pericardial disease.
- Rising pericardial pressure prevents ventricular filling, reducing stroke volume and cardiac output.
Medications
No specific medication class was seeded for this card.
Nursing actions
- Assess airway, breathing, circulation, blood pressure trend, heart sounds, JVD, pulse pressure, and mental status.
- Keep the client on oxygen, maintain IV access, and notify the provider or rapid response for suspected tamponade.
- Prepare for echocardiogram and emergency pericardiocentesis or surgical intervention as ordered.
Complications
- Obstructive shock
- PEA arrest
- Organ hypoperfusion
- Death
NCLEX cues
- Hypotension plus JVD and muffled heart sounds.
- Narrowing pulse pressure.
- Restlessness after chest trauma or cardiac procedure.
Memory hooks
- Tamponade squeezes the heart from the outside.
Labs / Diagnostics
- Echocardiogram
- ECG changes
- Chest imaging
- Blood pressure and pulse pressure trends
Review notes
- Supplemental wife-requested study card. Use for NCLEX review only and verify against school materials, ATI/NCLEX review sources, current orders, and facility policy.