The document discusses pulmonary embolism (PE), a potentially life-threatening condition where a blood clot forms in the veins (usually in the legs) and travels to the lungs, blocking an artery. It describes the organs involved, including how PE decreases oxygen levels and can damage organs like the heart. Diagnostic tests are outlined to detect PE, such as CT scans, VQ scans, ultrasounds and blood tests. Treatment includes blood thinners and in severe cases, surgery to remove clots. Nursing care focuses on education, medication administration, activity, and prevention through anticoagulants and compression stockings.

1. University of Bohol
Graduate School & Professional Studies Department
Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
MS
MS
III
III
PULMONARY
PULMONARY
EMBOLISM
EMBOLISM
Mary Ann Adiong, RN, USRN Masterand

2. ORGANS INVOLVED
ORGANS INVOLVED

3. ORGANS INVOLVED (cont’d)
ORGANS INVOLVED (cont’d)
• A pulmonary embolism (PE) is a potential cardiovascular emergency wherein a blood clot
develops in a blood vessel elsewhere in the body (most commonly from the leg), travels to
an artery in the lung, and forms an occlusion (blockage) of the artery.
• The lungs and the breathing system are called the pulmonary system. A clot in the lungs is
called a pulmonary embolism. The arteries going to the lungs get progressively smaller. This
allows carbon dioxide to leave the blood and go to the air we breathe out. It also allows the
oxygen to enter the blood from the air we breathe in.
• The pathway of a PE from the lower part of the body: inferior vena cava, to right atrium, to
right ventricle, to the pulmonary artery. This might eventually obstruct blood flow to the
lung.
• Pulmonary embolism is a serious condition that can cause damage to the lung. This is
because the part of the lungs that is fed by the blocked artery dies. PE also decreases the
capacity of the blood to pick up oxygen. Since the blood picks up less oxygen, the body will
have less oxygen level. This in turn can damage other organs such as the heart. The heart
will have to work harder to pump more blood so the body can get the oxygen it needs. A big
clot that blocks a larger artery in the lungs can be fatal. A small clot may not be fatal but
may still cause significant damage.

4. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
© Copyright 2004 McGraw-Hill. All rights reserved.
7–4

5. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Signs and symptoms of pulmonary embolism (PE) include:
unexplained shortness of breath
problems breathing
chest pain
coughing, or coughing up blood
an arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) also may suggest that you have PE.
swelling of the leg or along a vein in the leg
pain or tenderness in the leg
a feeling of increased warmth in the area of the leg that's swollen or tender
red or discolored skin on the affected leg.
feelings of anxiety or dread
light-headedness or fainting
rapid breathing
sweating
increased heart rate
See your doctor right away if you have any signs or symptoms of PE or DVT. It's
also possible to have PE and not have any signs or symptoms.

6. MEDICAL/NURSING MANAGEMENT
MEDICAL/NURSING MANAGEMENT
Diagnostic Test/Laboratory Procedures:

7. Reasons for Test:
Chest X-rays are often done on patients with shortness of breath to help rule-out
other causes, such as congestive heart failure and rib fracture. Chest X-rays in
PE are rarely normal, but usually lack signs that suggest the diagnosis of PE.
Nursing Considerations:
You will be asked to remove all jewelry from the waist up. You will also put on a
hospital gown. A lead apron may be placed over your abdomen and pelvis. This is
done to minimize the risk of radiation.

8. VQ SCAN
VQ SCAN

9. REASONS FOR TEST:
This test is most commonly done in order to check for the presence of a blood
clot or abnormal blood flow inside the lungs (such as a pulmonary embolism or PE),
although computed tomography with radioactive dye is now more commonly used
for this purpose.
NURSING CONSIDERATIONS:
•A VQ Scan requires injection of radioactive contrast dye. Explain to the patient
that this test evaluates blood flow in the lungs. Tell the patient who will perform
the test, where and when it will be done and that it takes about30 minutes.
•Tell the patient that first he will lie in a supine position on a table as radioactive
dye is injected into the arm vein. While he remains in supine, a large camera will
take pictures, continuing as he lies on his side, lies prone and sits up. When a
patient is in prone, more dye will be injected.
•Reassure him that the amount of radioactivity in the dye is minimal. However, he
may experience some discomfort from the venipuncture and from lying on a cold,
hard table. He may also feel claustrophobia when surrounded by the camera
equipment.

10. CT Pulmonary Angiogram
CT Pulmonary Angiogram
CT pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) is a medical diagnostic test that
employs computed tomography to obtain an image of the pulmonary arteries. Its
main use is to diagnose pulmonary embolism (PE). It is a preferred choice of
imaging in the diagnosis of PE due to its minimally invasive nature for the patient,
whose only requirement for the scan is an intravenous line. A CT angiogram
procedure is also known as angiography. This procedure allows your physician to
locate plaque build-up or narrowed arteries at an earlier stage, helping you to
possibly avoid a heart attack.
NURSING CONSIDERATIONS:
•Explain to the patient that CT will be used to diagnose or evaluate his respiratory disorder. Tel
him who, where and when it will be done. CTPA usually takes 1 ½ hours. Note the radioactive
dye will be used to enhance the cross-sectional images of his chest.
•If a contrast dye will be used, instruct the patient to fast for 4 hours before the test. Remove all
jewelry before the CTPA.
•Tell the patient that he’ll lie on a large, noisy, tunnel-shaped machine. When the dye is injected
into his arm vein, he may experience transient nausea, flushing, warmth and a salty taste. The
equipment may make him claustrophobic. Tell him not to move during the test but to relax and
breathe normally. Movement may invalidate the results and require repeat testing. Reassure
him that radiation exposure during the test is minimal.

11. Images of Pulmonary Embolism in CTPA

12. ULTRASONOGRAPHY/DOPPLER
ULTRASONOGRAPHY/DOPPLER
STUDIES
STUDIES

13. NURSING CONSIDERATIONS:
1.Explain to the patient that Doppler ultrasonography is used to evaluate blood flow
in the arms and legs or neck. Tell him who will perform the test and when. Reassure
the patient that the test doesn’t involve risk or discomfort.
2.For peripheral arterial evaluation in the leg, the usual test sites are the common
and superficial femoral, popliteal, posterior tibial, and dorsalis pedis arteries.
3.Brachial blood pressure is measured, and the transducer is placed at various
points along the test arteries.
4.The signals are monitored, and the waveforms are recorded for later analysis.
5.The blood flow velocity is monitored and recorded over the test artery.
6.Segmental limb blood pressures are obtained to localize arterial occlusive
disease.
7.Remove the conductive gel from the patient’s skin.
8.Assist the patient to a comfortable position.
9.Make sure that the Doppler probe isn’t placed over an open or draining lesion.

14. LABORATORY TESTS
LABORATORY TESTS
1. D-dimer blood test. This test detects the presence of a
protein produced when a blood clot breaks down
somewhere in the body. A negative result is a good indicator
that a clot is not present. A positive result suggests that clots
may be present, but more testing is needed to confirm.
2. Arterial blood gas analysis. A sudden drop in the blood
oxygen level may suggest a pulmonary embolism.
3. Coagulation Profile. Additional blood work should include
coagulation studies to evaluate for a hypercoagulable state,
if clinically indicated. A prolonged prothrombin time or
activated partial thromboplastin time does not imply a lower
risk of new thrombosis. Progression of DVT and PE can
occur despite full therapeutic anticoagulation in 13% of
patients.

15. PHARMACOLOGIC MANAGEMENT
PHARMACOLOGIC MANAGEMENT

18. SURGICAL MANAGEMENT
SURGICAL MANAGEMENT
EMBOLECTOMY is the emergency surgical removal of emboli which are blocking
blood circulation. It usually involves removal of thrombi (blood clots), and is then
referred to as thrombectomy. Embolectomy is an emergency procedure often as
the last resort because permanent occlusion of a significant blood flow to an organ
leads to necrosis.
INDICATIONS:
•Surgical embolectomy for massive pulmonary embolism (PE) has become a rare
procedure and is often viewed as a last resort.
•Surgical or catheter embolectomy is normally performed in patients with pulmonary
embolism (formed from venous embolisms). Embolectomy is used for patients with
persisting shock despite supportive care and who have an absolute contraindication
for thrombolytic therapy. And although other treatments have improved urgent
surgical embolectomy or catheter embolectomy may be a life saving procedure in
severe pulmonary embolism.
• Embolectomies are performed for arterial embolisms in acute limb ischemia. It can
also be used for other ischemias due to embolism for example mesenteric ischemia
and stroke.

19. NUR
SING CONSIDERATIONS:
1. Monitor peripheral circulation. Keep extremities warm (room temperature).
Ensure safety measures to prevent displacement of arterial and venous sheaths.
2. Maintain bed rest.
3. Keep cannulated extremity in neutral or slightly flexed position.
4. Apply knee or leg immobilizer or soft restraint.
5. Assist with meals, use of bedpans and position changes appropriate to activity
limitations.
6. Continue prescribed dose of medication. Check clotting times periodically after
start of infusion and after change in dose. Note for any signs of bleeding.
7. Do passive ROM exercises to unaffected extremities every 2-4 hours as
tolerated.
8. Instruct patient to report presence of pain, numbness, tingling and decrease or
loss of sensation and movement immediately.
9. Immediately report to physician decrease or loss of pulse, change in skin color,
temperature, presence of pain, numbness, tingling, delayed capillary refill and
decreased and loss of sensation and motion.

20. PREVENTIONS
PREVENTIONS
Clot prevention strategies in the hospital may include:
1.ANTICOAGULANT THER
APY. An anticoagulant, such as a heparin
injection, is given to anyone at risk of clots before and after an operation —
as well as to people admitted to the hospital with a heart attack, stroke,
complications of cancer or burns. You might take oral warfarin for a few
days before major elective surgery to reduce your risk of clots.
2.GRADUATED COMPRESSION STOCKINGS. Compression stockings
steadily squeeze your legs, helping your veins and leg muscles move
blood more efficiently. They offer a safe, simple and inexpensive way to
keep blood from stagnating after general surgery.
3.USE OF PNEUMATIC COMPRESSION. This treatment uses thigh-high
or calf-high cuffs that automatically inflate with air every few minutes to
massage and squeeze the veins in your legs and improve blood flow.
4.PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. Moving as soon as possible after surgery can
help prevent pulmonary embolism and speed your overall recovery. This is
one of the main reasons your nurse may push you to get up and walk as
soon as one day after surgery.

21. NURSING CARE PLANS
NURSING CARE PLANS

26. NURSING THEORY
NURSING THEORY
Dorothea Orem’s Theory of Self Care
“Individuals, families, groups and communities need to be taught self-care”

27. The overall purpose of Orem's theory is not just to view the person as a whole, but to
utilize nursing knowledge to restore and maintain the patient's optimal health. This
theory when applied to nursing practice could identify the self care requisites of the
patient in various aspects. This is helpful to provide care in a comprehensive manner.
The application of this theory in the management of patients will reveal how well the
method of nursing assistance (acting and doing for, guiding, teaching, supporting,
providing a developmental environment) and the nursing systems used (wholly
compensatory, partly compensatory or supportive-educative) could be used to solve the
identified problems of the patient with self care deficit.