Pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot forms, typically in the leg veins, breaks off and travels to the lungs where it lodges in the pulmonary arteries. Risk factors include prolonged bed rest, cancer, smoking and certain genetic conditions. Symptoms include chest pain, difficulty breathing, cough and rapid heart rate. Diagnosis involves tests like CT scans, lung scans, blood tests and ultrasound. Treatment focuses on thinning the blood with anticoagulant drugs like heparin and warfarin to prevent further clots, as well as oxygen and monitoring vital signs.

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.