Pulmonary Embolism

Question 1

What happens when a pulmonary embolism is present?

Answer 1

A blood clot in the pulmonary artery blocks oxygen exchange in the blood

Question 2

What are the main symptoms that a person has a pulmonary embolism?

Answer 2

tachypnea- really fast breathing.

dyspnea- shallow breathing

Question 3

Why would a person start having tachypnea if they have a pulmonary embolism?

Answer 3

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.

Question 4

What are the 5 sources of pulmonary emboli?

Answer 4

• Thromboemboli
• Tumors
• Fat, bone marrow
• Amniotic fluid release
• IV injection, air, or foreign substance

Question 5

If a patient has chronic or recurrent small emboli what can happen to the lungs?

Answer 5

This can cause ischemia of the lungs

Question 6

What is the ultimate result if an individual has an occlusion of the large artery due to a pulmonary embolism?

Answer 6

Death

Question 7

In less than 10% of patients with a pulmonary emboli this occurs:

Answer 7

Lung tissue infarction.

Question 8

If this occurs due to a pulmonary embolism there will be no permanent lung damage

Answer 8

Obstruction of a small segment

Question 9

What misdiagnosis typically happens when a patient is exhibiting symptoms of a pulmonary embolism?

Answer 9

A cardiac event

Question 10

What is hemoptysis?

Answer 10

Coughing up frothy, bloody sputum.

Question 11

What is the golden standard diagnostic test when looking for a pulmonary embolism?

Answer 11

Pulmonary angiography

Question 12

What can you see when you have a pulmonary angiography done?

Answer 12

A visual blood flow to the lungs.

Question 13

What two diagnostic tests are completed by a respiratory tech in the event of a pulmonary embolism?

Answer 13

Arterial blood gases and end-tidal carbon dioxide.

Question 14

What is the most common cause of a pulmonary embolism?

Answer 14

immobility causing venous stasis

Question 15

What is hyper-coagulability?

Answer 15

The body makes blood clots easily

Question 16

When giving heparin to a patient what do you you do before you start an infusion?

Answer 16

You give a bolus first then hook up the infusion

Question 17

When do you start warfarin?

Answer 17

5-7 days before heparin is discontinued.

Question 18

Does the patient still need to be on anticoagulants after a vena cava filter is placed?

Answer 18

Yes

Question 19

What type of oxygen mask is placed on a patient who has a pulmonary embolism?

Answer 19

Nonrebreather

Question 20

Main nursing diagnosis for someone with a pulmonary embolism:

Answer 20

Impaired Gas Exchange

Question 21

What positions do you place a patient in if they have a pulmonary embolism?

Answer 21

Fowler or High-Fowler position

Question 22

Why would you avoid invasive procedures if a patient had a pulmonary embolism?

Answer 22

So you don’t more pressure on the system

Question 23

Why do you need to make sure the maintain pressure on a puncture or injection sites on a patient who has a pulmonary embolism?

Answer 23

To stop the bleeding due to anticoagulants.

Question 24

As a student nurse with a patient with a pulmonary embolism what do you do if their BP tanks?

Answer 24

Immediately get an RN and call a rapid response.

Question 25

True or False:

Bradypnea is the most common sign for a possible pulmonary embolism.

Answer 25

False