Chapter 16- Pulmonary Embolism

Question 1

Anything in the circulatory system that moves from its point of origin to a distant site and lodges there, obstructing blood flow in that area

Answer 1

Embolus

Question 2

Circulation beyond the point of obstruction can be blocked or significantly decreased, which leads to a _______ condition

Answer 2

Life-threatening condition

Question 3

Emboli can be:

Answer 3

fragments of blood clots in an artery or vein that break off and travel through the bloodstream

OR

Foreign bodies that enter the circulation, such as an air bubble

Question 4

A pulmonary embolism is a blood clot that forms in the vein, usually in the ______ or ______, that breaks off and circulates through the venous system

Answer 4

legs or pelvis

Question 5

In a patient with atrial fibrillation, the embolus can come from the _____

Answer 5

Right atrium

Question 6

The clot moves through the right side of the heart and into the _______ where it becomes lodged, significantly decreasing or blocking blood flow

Answer 6

pulmonary artery

Question 7

The lungs itself can still continue the process of inhalation and exhalation, but there wont be any effective circulation because _____

Answer 7

no exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide will take place in the areas of blocked blood flow

Question 8

In this circumstance, oxygen levels drop low enough to cause _______

Answer 8

Cyanosis

Question 9

The severity of ______ and ______ is directly related to the size of the embolism and the amount of tissue affected

Answer 9

cyanosis
dyspnea

Question 10

Pulmonary embolism may occur as a result of damage to the lining of vessels, which has the tendency to

Answer 10

cause blood to clot extremely fast
or more commonly, slow blood flow in a lower extremity

Question 11

Slow blood flow in the legs is usually caused by

Answer 11

long term bed rest ( can lead to a collapse of veins)
Pregnancy Active Cancer

Question 12

Recent surgery on the ______ or ______ of any type increases the risk of pulmonary embolus

Answer 12

legs or pelvis

Question 13

Although uncommon, pulmonary embolism can occur in active, healthy people in the absence of any other known risk factors

Answer 13

True.

Question 14

Although fairly common, pulmonary embolism are difficult to _____

Answer 14

Diagnose

Question 15

Symptoms and signs of pulmonary embolism may occur include the following:

Answer 15

Dyspnea
Tachycardia
Tachypnea
Varying degrees of hypoxia
Cyanosis
Acute chest pain
Hemoptysis (coughing up blood)

Question 16

With a large enough embolus, complete, sudden obstruction of blood flow from the right side of the heart can lead to _____

Answer 16

sudden death