PulmonRy Embolism

Question 1

Pulmonary embolisms

Answer 1

When a substance (solid, gas, or liquid) enters venous circulation and forms a blockage in the pulmonary vasculature

• most common cause is DVT
• a medical emergency

Question 2

Labs

Answer 2

• low PaCO2
• hypoxemia
• resp. Acidosis
• d-dimer: in response to clot formation and release in fibrin degradation products. (Turns out elevated. Norman range= 0.43-2.33

Question 3

Medications

Answer 3

• anticoagulants

- thrombocytes therapy

Question 4

Anticoagulants (-in)

Answer 4

• enoxparin (lovenox)
• heparin
• warfarin (Coumadin)

Monitor PT & INR for warfarin.
Monitor PTT for heparin
And CBC

Question 5

Thrombolytic therapy (-ase)

Answer 5

• altepase (activase)
• streptokinase (streptase)= give slowly to prevent hypotension

Used to dissolve blood clots &I restore pulmonary blood flow

Monitor for: bleeding, thrombocytopenia, and anemia

Should not be given if pt had surgery 3 weeks ago