pulmonary embolism

1. PULMONARY EMBOLISM
SHYAM BHATEWARA
LECTURER
INDEX NURSING COLLEGE

2. PULMONARY EMBOLISM
Pulmonary embolism is a blockage of an artery in the lungs by a
substance that has moved from elsewhere in the body through the
bloodstream (embolism).
Occurs when a thrombus forms (most commonly in a deep vein),
detaches, travels to the right side of the heart, and then lodges in a
branch of the pulmonary artery

3. RISK FACTORS
Blood clots
Cancer
Prolonged bed rest
 Smoking
Stroke
Certain genetic conditions
Estrogen-based medication
Pregnancy
Obesity
Some types of surgery

4. ETIOLOGICAL FACTORS
 Clients prone to pulmonary embolism are those at risk for deep
vein thrombosis, including those with prolonged immobilization,
surgery, obesity, pregnancy, heart failure, advanced age, or a
history of thromboembolism.
Fat embolican occur as a complication following fracture of a
long bone and can cause pulmonary emboli.

6. CLINICAL MANIFESTATION
 Apprehension and restlessness
Blood-tinged sputum
Chest pain
Cough
Crackles and wheezes on auscultation
Cyanosis ▪ Distended neck veins

7. CLINICAL MANIFESTATION
Dyspnea accompanied by anginal and pleuritic pain, exacerbated
by inspiration
Feeling of impending doom
Hypotension
Petechiae over the chest and axilla
Shallow respirations
Tachypnea and tachycardia

8. DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION
Detailed history collection
Physical examination
Spo2
ABG analysis
ECG
CT pulmonary angiography
Lung ventilation/perfusion
scan
Ultrasound of the legs may
confirm the diagnosis.
Deep vein thrombosis and pe
are known as venous
thromboembolism

9. MANAGEMENT
Notify the Rapid Response Team and healthcare provider (HCP).
Reassure the client and elevate the head of the bed.
Prepare to administer oxygen.
Obtain vital signs and check lung sounds.
Prepare to obtain an arterial blood gas.
Prepare for the administration of heparin therapy or other
therapies.
Document the event, interventions taken, and the client’s
response to treatment.

10. Treatment is thinning the blood with anticoagulants such as
heparin, low molecular weight hepar, direct thrombin inhibitors
The oral blood thinner, warfarin. Immediately acting intravenous
or injected blood thinner must be administered right away.
The oral blood thinner, warfarin, takes about five days to be
come effective to prevent the development of a recurrent PE.
In addition to blood thinners, more aggressive therapies include
“clot buster” drugs such as TPA or catheter-based or surgical
embolectomy to remove the PE.