Which combination of signs comprises Beck's triad associated with cardiac tamponade?

• A. Hypotension, JVD, muffled heart sounds
• B. Hypertension, tachycardia, edema
• C. Chest pain, diaphoresis, N/V
• D. Cough, fever, weight loss

Answer: (A)

Beck's triad reflects the signs produced when the heart is unable to fill properly because of fluid in the pericardial sac. The combination includes hypotension from reduced stroke volume and cardiac output, elevated jugular venous pressure from back-up of blood into the venous system, and muffled heart sounds caused by the fluid surrounding the heart dampening sound transmission. In cardiac tamponade, the pericardial fluid compresses the heart, especially during diastole, limiting filling and leading to those characteristic findings. The other options describe signs more typical of other conditions and do not present this three-part pattern.