Word parts
What it means
The two layers of the pericardium become inflamed and may rub together. It can follow a virus, a heart attack, heart surgery, kidney failure or an autoimmune disease. Fluid can collect in the sac (pericardial effusionih-FYOO-zhunFluid that has leaked out and collected in a body space, such as around the lungs, the heart or in a joint.Full entry ), and a large amount can squeeze the heart (cardiac tamponade), an emergency.
For the nurse
Ask the client to describe the chest pain and what makes it better or worse, listen for a friction rub, and report signs of tamponade: falling blood pressure, distended neck veins and muffled heart sounds.
At a glance
| Spanish | pericarditis |
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