Flashcard 12 - Physiological Adaptation Flashcard Set for the NCLEX-RN Exam

cardiac tamponade

Cardiac tamponade can present with a myriad of clinical findings: severe hypotension, little to no urinary output, signs of impaired peripheral perfusion/pulses, a narrowed pulse pressure, tachycardia, tachypnea, dyspnea, loss of consciousness and jugular venous distention are all common. Emergent interventions include oxygen supplementation, measures to correct the hypotension and pericardiocentesis to remove the fluid in the pericardium. If not corrected, cardiac tamponade results in cardiac arrest.