Which of the following is NOT a component of Beck's Triad?

• A. Muffled heart tones
• B. Jugular venous distension
• C. Pulsus paradoxus
• D. Hypotension

Answer: (C)

Beck's Triad describes the main signs of cardiac tamponade from fluid around the heart impairing its filling. The three components are hypotension due to reduced cardiac output, jugular venous distension from impaired filling of the right heart, and muffled heart sounds because the fluid cushions and dampens auscultation. Pulsus paradoxus—a significant drop in systolic blood pressure during inspiration—is a related sign that can accompany tamponade, but it is not one of the triad’s classic components. So the item that isn’t part of Beck’s Triad is pulsus paradoxus; you’d still look for tamponade signs like hypotension, JVD, and muffled heart sounds as the hallmark trio.