Pulmonary Embolism Flashcards
What happens when a pulmonary embolism is present?
A blood clot in the pulmonary artery blocks oxygen exchange in the blood
What are the main symptoms that a person has a pulmonary embolism?
tachypnea- really fast breathing.
dyspnea- shallow breathing
Why would a person start having tachypnea if they have a pulmonary embolism?
They are trying to force their body to get oxygen. The problem isn’t that they aren’t breathing the problem is the lack of oxygen.
What are the 5 sources of pulmonary emboli?
- Thromboemboli
- Tumors
- Fat, bone marrow
- Amniotic fluid release
- IV injection, air, or foreign substance
If a patient has chronic or recurrent small emboli what can happen to the lungs?
This can cause ischemia of the lungs
What is the ultimate result if an individual has an occlusion of the large artery due to a pulmonary embolism?
Death
In less than 10% of patients with a pulmonary emboli this occurs:
Lung tissue infarction.
If this occurs due to a pulmonary embolism there will be no permanent lung damage
Obstruction of a small segment
What misdiagnosis typically happens when a patient is exhibiting symptoms of a pulmonary embolism?
A cardiac event
What is hemoptysis?
Coughing up frothy, bloody sputum.
What is the golden standard diagnostic test when looking for a pulmonary embolism?
Pulmonary angiography
What can you see when you have a pulmonary angiography done?
A visual blood flow to the lungs.
What two diagnostic tests are completed by a respiratory tech in the event of a pulmonary embolism?
Arterial blood gases and end-tidal carbon dioxide.
What is the most common cause of a pulmonary embolism?
immobility causing venous stasis
What is hyper-coagulability?
The body makes blood clots easily
When giving heparin to a patient what do you you do before you start an infusion?
You give a bolus first then hook up the infusion
When do you start warfarin?
5-7 days before heparin is discontinued.
Does the patient still need to be on anticoagulants after a vena cava filter is placed?
Yes
What type of oxygen mask is placed on a patient who has a pulmonary embolism?
Nonrebreather
Main nursing diagnosis for someone with a pulmonary embolism:
Impaired Gas Exchange
What positions do you place a patient in if they have a pulmonary embolism?
Fowler or High-Fowler position
Why would you avoid invasive procedures if a patient had a pulmonary embolism?
So you don’t more pressure on the system
Why do you need to make sure the maintain pressure on a puncture or injection sites on a patient who has a pulmonary embolism?
To stop the bleeding due to anticoagulants.
As a student nurse with a patient with a pulmonary embolism what do you do if their BP tanks?
Immediately get an RN and call a rapid response.
True or False:
Bradypnea is the most common sign for a possible pulmonary embolism.
False
