Pulmonary embolism

1. Mr. Sanket Patel
Assistant Professor
MSN Department
Sumandeep Nursing College

2. Pulmonary Embolism is a condition in
which the emboli reach the lungs and
obstruct pulmonary circulation.
The emboli may either blood, air, fat,
tumor cells, amniotic fluid or foreign
objects.
Many people with this condition will die
within 1 hr of onset of symptoms or
before Diagnosis. Mr. Sanket Patel
Assistant Professor
Sumandeep Nursing College

3. Causes of DVT and PE:
1. Stasis of blood flow
2. Endothelial injury
3. Hyper coagulability
Mr. Sanket Patel
Assistant Professor
Sumandeep Nursing College

4.  Chest pain while Breathing Activity
 S3 or S4 heart sounds
 ECG will show-non specific- T or ST segment
abnormalities
 Crackles, friction rub, Decrease breath sounds
 Dyspnea, Hemoptysis
 Low grade fever with sweating
 Shock symptoms may be Tachycardia,
hypotension & cold/clammy skin
 Feeling of anxiety, impending doom,
restlessness
Mr. Sanket Patel
Assistant Professor
Sumandeep Nursing College

5. Laboratory: Elevated WBCs
ABGs-Resp alkalosis  Resp.acidosis.
O2 Sets low
Chest X-Ray
Electro Cardio Gram
V/P Scan
CT Scan or CTA “Gold Standard”
Pulmonary angiography- invasive
Thoracentesis Mr. Sanket Patel
Assistant Professor
Sumandeep Nursing College

6. ABG analysis
Prevention of DVT, prophylactic use of
heparin
Thrombolytic agents for massive clots
O2, VS, lung/heart sounds,
Mechanical ventilation
Assess risk for bleeding
Mr. Sanket Patel
Assistant Professor
Sumandeep Nursing College

7. Stable pts- Heparin for 5-10 days, then
Coumadin started on the third day (from 3-
6 weeks or indefinitely)
Health Teaching
Mr. Sanket Patel
Assistant Professor
Sumandeep Nursing College

8. Embolectomy-removal of clot
Inferior Vena cava Filter (IVC) filter
Mr. Sanket Patel
Assistant Professor
Sumandeep Nursing College

9. 1.Decreased Cardiac Output R/T …
Intervention: IVF, Positive ino-tropic agents,
Vasodilators
Outcome: Adequate tissue perfusion in all major
organs
Predictors: Adequate circulation
Mr. Sanket Patel
Assistant Professor
Sumandeep Nursing College

10. 2. Risk for injury (bleeding) R/T…
Maintain H&H WNL
Monitoring and pt. teaching
3. Anxiety R/T…
Verbalization of fears
Teach coping mechanisms
Mr. Sanket Patel
Assistant Professor
Sumandeep Nursing College