Beck's Triad includes which combination of findings?

Beck's Triad includes which combination of findings?

• A. JVD, muffled heart sounds, and low blood pressure
• B. JVD, chest pain, ST elevation
• C. Edema, ascites, hypernatremia
• D. Hyperkalemia, tall T waves

Answer: (A)

Beck's triad signals cardiac tamponade from a pericardial effusion. It consists of raised jugular venous pressure (JVD) from impaired venous return to the heart, muffled heart sounds because the fluid around the heart dampens the sounds, and hypotension due to reduced fill and decreased cardiac output. When the pericardium is filled with fluid, it limits diastolic filling, raising right atrial pressure, muffling sounds, and dropping systolic pressure. Pulsus paradoxus can occur but isn’t required for the triad. The other options don’t reflect this combination: they point to myocardial infarction, chronic fluid overload with organ involvement, or electrolyte disturbances, none of which describe tamponade physiology.

Beck's triad signals cardiac tamponade from a pericardial effusion. It consists of raised jugular venous pressure (JVD) from impaired venous return to the heart, muffled heart sounds because the fluid around the heart dampens the sounds, and hypotension due to reduced fill and decreased cardiac output. When the pericardium is filled with fluid, it limits diastolic filling, raising right atrial pressure, muffling sounds, and dropping systolic pressure. Pulsus paradoxus can occur but isn’t required for the triad. The other options don’t reflect this combination: they point to myocardial infarction, chronic fluid overload with organ involvement, or electrolyte disturbances, none of which describe tamponade physiology.