What is the correct explanation for how cardiac tamponade can affect the heart?
A) It causes a prolapsed mitral valve, one whose flaps extend back into the left atrium, causing incompetence (leaking) of the valve.
B) It causes blood to not only eject forward into the aorta but also regurgitate back into the left ventricle because of a leaky aortic semilunar valve.
C) It is a compression of the heart that impairs the pumping action of the heart and needs immediate pericardial drainage.
D) It is a delayed inflammatory response to streptococcal infection that results in stenosis or other deformities of the valves, chordae tendineae, or myocardium.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Cardiac tamponade is a compression of the heart caused by the accumulation of fluid or blood in the pericardial sac. This compression impairs the pumping action of the heart, leading to decreased cardiac output and can be life-threatening if left untreated. Immediate pericardial drainage is required to relieve the pressure and restore normal heart function. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect explanations that do not accurately describe the effects of cardiac tamponade.

What Is the Correct Explanation for How Cardiac Tamponade Can