Which of the following is a symptom of malignant pericardial effusion?

• A. Hair Loss
• B. Palpitations
• C. Nausea
• D. Fever

Answer: (B)

Palpitations are most consistent with a malignant pericardial effusion because fluid around the heart impairs filling, and the body often compensates by increasing the heart rate. That rapid heartbeat is something the patient feels as palpitations. Hair loss, nausea, and fever aren’t direct signs of the effusion itself; hair loss isn’t related to the heart, while nausea and fever are nonspecific and not characteristic symptoms of a pericardial effusion affecting cardiac filling.