This week, we are talking about every cardiac nurse’s worst nightmare: cardiac tamponade. Host Sarah Lorenzini is joined by Brian McCain RN to share a crazy case of cardiac tamponade where quick intervention made all the difference. In this episode, they discuss the critical signs, symptoms and pathophysiology of cardiac tamponade.

Brian and Sarah cover clinical findings like Beck’s triad and dampened arterial line waveforms, assessment techniques for patients who rapidly decline versus those with a gradual buildup of symptoms, and the nurse’s role in preparing patients for an open arrest.

Tune in to learn how to recognize and manage this cardiac emergency! 

Topics discussed in this episode:

• What Brian loves about the nursing profession
• A classic case of cardiac tamponade
• Pathophysiology of cardiac tamponade
• The clinical findings of cardiac tamponade
• Assessment and diagnosis of cardiac tamponade
• Differentiating between cardiac tamponade and pericardial effusion
• Preparing the patient for an open arrest

Mentioned in this episode:

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