Week 2 Pulmonary embolism

Question 1

What are risk factors for Pulmonary embolus?

Answer 1

1. prolonged immobility
   -surgery
   -pregnancy
   -obesity
2. advancing age
3. Genetic condition
4. HX of thromboembolism
5. Smoking
6. Estrogen therapy
7. HF
8. Fractures (fat embolsim)
9. Foreign objects (broken IV catheters)

Question 2

What do the symptoms of a PE look like?

Answer 2

Like a heart attack and decreased O2 sats

Question 3

What do we see different if it’s a fat embolism?

Answer 3

petechiae over chest and axillae

Question 4

What will labs show for Pulmonary embolism?

Answer 4

1. ABGs
   - respiratory ALKALOSIS at first (low CO2) b/c of hyperventilation due to hypoxia
   - then respiratory ACIDOSIS because gas exchange isn’t happening so Hypoxia causes increase in lactic acid
2. Metabolic panel - to check for conditions that affect clotting
3. D dimer - fibrinolysis + PE
4. Troponin and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) - means R vent dysfunction d/t PE

Question 5

What are the 3 diagnostics used for Pulmonary embolism?

Answer 5

1. CT pulmonary angiography
2. Chest Xray
3. Doppler

Question 6

What are the interventions for a Pulmonary embolism?

Answer 6

1. drugs
2. Surgery

Question 7

What 4 things do we monitor in someone with pulmonary embolus?

Answer 7

1. Respiratory status
2. Cardiovascular status
3. DVT status
4. Bleeding status (especially under skin)

Question 8

What are 7 interventions for pulmonary embolus?

Answer 8

1. best rest/high fowlers
2. IV line for meds
3. o2 therapy
4. VS, cardiac dysrythmias & & lung sounds’
5. ABGs Ptt, INR
6. emotional support

Question 9

after pulmonary embolism how long is the patient on anticoagulant therapy?

Answer 9

3-6 months

Question 10

After how many min should EMS be called if patient is bleeding at home?

Answer 10

within 15 min

Question 11

What is important for patients to monitor?

Answer 11

signs and symptoms of bleeding