HESI Registered Nurse EXIT Practice Exam

What is a common symptom of cardiac tamponade that a nurse might observe?

1. Rapid heartbeat

2. Distended neck veins

3. Dry cough

4. Shortness of breath

The correct answer is: Distended neck veins

A common symptom of cardiac tamponade that can be observed is distended neck veins. This occurs as a result of increased pressure in the thoracic cavity that compresses the heart and prevents it from filling properly during diastole. When the heart cannot fill adequately, venous return from the systemic circulation is impaired, leading to distension of the jugular veins. This sign is particularly important as it reflects the elevated pressures in the vena cava and right atrium due to the fluid accumulation in the pericardial space. While rapid heartbeat, dry cough, and shortness of breath may be associated with various cardiac or respiratory conditions, they are not as specifically indicative of cardiac tamponade as distended neck veins. Rapid heartbeat may occur as a compensatory mechanism but is not a definitive sign. Dry cough can arise from other respiratory issues and does not directly relate to the hemodynamic changes seen in cardiac tamponade. Shortness of breath might result from a variety of cardiac or pulmonary problems, thus it lacks the specificity that distended neck veins provides in the context of cardiac tamponade.