What finding on physical examination is characteristic of pericardial effusion?

Muffled heart sounds are a characteristic finding of pericardial effusion due to the accumulation of fluid in the pericardial space. This fluid acts as a barrier, dampening the sounds produced by the heart as it beats. During a physical examination, when a physician auscultates the heart, the expected clarity and intensity of heart sounds may be reduced, leading to a perception of muffled sounds.

Pericardial effusion can also lead to other physical examination findings, such as a paradoxical pulse (which is not a direct option here), but the typical presentation regarding heart sounds is the hallmark of this condition. The presence of fluid around the heart can consequently impair normal heart function, especially if the accumulation is large or if the effusion progresses to cardiac tamponade, but the immediate effect observed is the muffling of heart sounds.

On the other hand, rhonchi and wheezing are more associated with respiratory conditions, and bounding pulses can indicate an increased stroke volume or a decreased vascular resistance scenario, which does not pertain to pericardial effusion. Abdominal tenderness is not a typical sign of this condition either, as it suggests other abdominal pathology rather than cardiac-related issues. Understanding these nuances helps clarify why muff