A nurse is assessing a client who is postoperative following a coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The nurse should identify that which of the following findings is an early indication of cardiac tamponade?

Rationale: A. Coarse lung sounds: Coarse lung sounds are typically associated with pulmonary issues such as fluid overload or pneumonia. They are not specific to cardiac tamponade and may appear later or not at all in this condition. B. Widening pulse pressure: Cardiac tamponade causes narrowing of the pulse pressure due to decreased stroke volume, not widening. A narrowing pulse pressure is a more reliable hemodynamic sign of tamponade. C. Muffled heart sounds: Muffled or distant heart sounds are a classic early sign of cardiac tamponade. They result from fluid accumulation in the pericardial sac, which insulates the heart and dampens the transmission of sound. D. Decreased jugular vein distention: Cardiac tamponade typically causes increased jugular vein distention due to impaired venous return to the heart. A decrease in JVD would not be expected and may indicate a different process.