A 45-year-old man arrives after a high-speed collision. He is intubated, BP 80/50 mmHg, HR 130 bpm, neck veins distended, heart sounds muffled. What is the most likely diagnosis?
- A Tension pneumothorax
- B Massive hemothorax
- C Cardiac tamponade ✓
- D Neurogenic shock
Correct answer: C. Cardiac tamponade
Explanation
Hypotension, distended neck veins, and muffled heart sounds constitute Beck's triad, classic for cardiac tamponade. Tension pneumothorax causes absent breath sounds and tracheal deviation. Massive hemothorax causes dullness to percussion. Neurogenic shock presents with hypotension and bradycardia, not tachycardia.
Reference: ATLS Advanced Trauma Life Support, 10th ed.
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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.