Question

An adult was pinned was pinned between two vehicles. He is conscious but confused and unable to follow commands. He has bruising on both sides of his anterior chest. He has a weak carotid pulse, no peripheral pulses, clear breath sounds in all fields, and distended neck veins. You should suspect:
a. Hemothoraxb. Pericardial tamponadec. Torn aortad. Tension pneumothorax

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct answer is option b, that is, pericardial tamponade.

Explanation:

In the given case, the signs show pericardial tamponade. Pericardial tamponade also known as cardiac tamponade refers to an extreme medical situation in which the fluids or the blood occupies the section between the sac that encloses the heart and the heart muscle. This imparts excess pressure on the heart. The pressure inhibits the ventricles of the heart from expanding completely and prevents the heart from working adequately.  

The heart loses the tendency to pump sufficient blood to the remaining parts of the body when this takes place. This can result in shock, organ failure, and even death.