Cardiac tamponade Quiz: Ace Your Exams

Get ready to dominate your medical and nursing exams by using our dynamic quizzes to elevate your knowledge and increase your confidence. Whether you're gearing up for the USMLE®, COMLEX®, or your next in-class assessment, Osmosis quizzes tackle key topics in pathology, diagnostics, and treatment approaches. By honing in on clinical readiness and decision-making, we make sure the knowledge you gain empowers you both in the classroom and in real-world practice. Jump in and supercharge your exam prep!

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A 60-year-old man presents to the emergency department for evaluation of weight loss, fatigue, and new onset shortness of breath. The patient has lost thirty pounds over the past three months. He states that he has been experiencing chills and a chronic cough. He has no significant past medical history. He smokes 1 pack of cigarettes daily and recently immigrated from Guatemala. Temperature is 37°C (98.6°F), blood pressure is 92/71 mmHg, pulse is 108/min, respiratory rate is 20/min, and oxygen saturation is 92% on room air. The patient appears fatigued, short of breath, and cachectic. Physical examination reveals jugular venous distention and muffled heart sounds. A large pericardial effusion and tamponade physiology is identified on bedside ultrasonography, and an emergent pericardiocentesis is performed. The results of the fluid analysis are shown below. Based on these findings, which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient's condition?
 
Laboratory value   
Result
Color
Pale yellow  
Predominant cells  
Squamous cells with increased nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio  
Acid-Fast Bacteria (AFB) stain
Negative
Gram stain  
Negative

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