American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Certification Practice Test

Beck's triad primarily indicates what serious condition?

1. Acute liver failure

2. Cardiac tamponade

3. Pulmonary embolism

4. Septic shock

The correct answer is: Cardiac tamponade

Beck's triad is a clinical syndrome characterized by three specific findings: hypotension (low blood pressure), muffled heart sounds, and elevated jugular venous pressure (distended neck veins). This triad is primarily associated with cardiac tamponade, a condition where fluid accumulates in the pericardial space, exerting pressure on the heart and impairing its ability to pump blood effectively. The presence of hypotension in Beck's triad reflects inadequate cardiac output due to the pressure from the fluid, while muffled heart sounds indicate that the sound waves are dampened by the fluid surrounding the heart. Elevated jugular venous pressure results from increased venous return that cannot adequately exit the heart due to the obstruction caused by the cardiac tamponade. The other options represent conditions with different clinical presentations that do not include the specific findings of Beck's triad. For instance, while acute liver failure can lead to hypotension and altered mental status, it does not typically present with muffled heart sounds or elevated jugular venous pressure. Pulmonary embolism may cause sudden hypotension but is generally associated with sharp chest pain and shortness of breath, lacking the hallmark signs of Beck's triad. Septic shock, while also causing hypot