Cardiac tamponade is a potential cause of which type of shock?

• A. Obstructive
• B. Cardiogenic
• C. Distributive
• D. Hypovolemic

Answer: (A)

Cardiac tamponade causes obstructive shock because the problem is a mechanical obstruction to filling the heart. Fluid in the pericardial sac increases pressure around the heart, preventing the ventricles from filling properly during diastole. This lowers preload, reduces stroke volume and cardiac output, and leads to hypotension and signs of poor perfusion even though the heart muscle itself isn’t failing. You may also see jugular venous distension and muffled heart sounds, with pulsus paradoxus in some cases, reflecting the problem of impaired filling.

This differs from other shock types: cardiogenic shock is due to primary pump failure of the heart muscle; distributive shock involves widespread vasodilation and relative hypovolemia; hypovolemic shock results from actual loss of intravascular volume. Therefore, the scenario best fits obstructive shock.