Pericarditis

Etiology / Pathophysiology

• Viral illness, post-MI inflammation, autoimmune disease, uremia, trauma, or procedures can inflame the pericardial sac.
• Inflamed pericardial layers irritate each other and may produce effusion that can progress to tamponade.

Medications

Signs / symptoms

• Sharp chest pain worse lying flat and better leaning forward.
• Pericardial friction rub.
• Tamponade findings are priority.

Nursing actions

• Assess chest pain pattern, friction rub, fever, dyspnea, and signs of tamponade.
• Position for comfort, often sitting up and leaning forward if tolerated.
• Monitor for hypotension, JVD, muffled heart sounds, or worsening shortness of breath.

Complications

• Pericardial effusion
• Cardiac tamponade
• Constrictive pericarditis

NCLEX cues

• Sharp chest pain worse lying flat and better leaning forward.
• Pericardial friction rub.
• Tamponade findings are priority.

Memory hooks

• Pericarditis pain changes with position.

Labs / Diagnostics

• ECG
• Echocardiogram
• Troponin if MI/myopericarditis concern
• Inflammatory markers

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.