A stab wound into the heart can result in cardiac tamponade. This means that
A) blood enters the pleural cavity.
B) the heart is compressed by blood in the pericardial sac.
C) the electrical conduction system of the heart is damaged.
D) the left coronary artery has been damaged or cut.
E) the heart has lost all of its blood.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Cardiac tamponade occurs when blood accumulates in the pericardial sac, the double-walled sac containing the heart and the roots of the great vessels. This accumulation of blood leads to increased pressure on the heart, preventing the heart chambers from expanding fully and thus compressing the heart. This compression hampers the heart's ability to pump blood effectively.

A Stab Wound into the Heart Can Result in Cardiac