Nursing students are studying the cardiovascular system. One student asks the instructor what happens when the amount of fluid in the pericardial sac increases. What should the instructor tell the students?
A) Raises the pressure inside the pericardial sac, causing fluid to leak through.
B) Raises the pressure inside the pericardial sac, compressing the lungs.
C) Raises the pressure inside the pericardial sac, compressing the heart.
D) Raises the pressure inside the pericardial sac, causing it to rupture.
Ans: C
Feedback: An increase in pericardial fluid raises the pressure within the pericardial sac and compresses the heart. This has the following effects: elevated pressure in all cardiac chambers, decreased venous return due to atrial compression, and inability of the ventricles to distend and fill adequately. Excess fluid in the pericardial sac does not cause fluid to leak through, compress the lungs, or cause the sac to rupture.
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