MPH, MSN, WHNP-BC
The lungs are an extremely important set of organs that deliver oxygen throughout the body and remove wasteful gases several times a day. They contribute much to the maintenance of the body’s homeostasis, blood flow, and oxygenation. But what happens when the lungs have an emergency and do not work as well is they used to, like when a pulmonary embolism occurs.
Pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when there is a blood clot that travels from somewhere else in the body (like the legs) to the lungs. This movable clot, also known as an embolus, enters one of the arteries in the lungs suddenly blocking blood flow.
This blockage of blood flow can cause severe problems for someone, as blood is constantly moving in the lungs and elsewhere in the body.
Because they affect the lungs and blood flow, it can cause life-threatening problems if not promptly treated.
Fortunately, there are ways to manage them, but early detection and intervention is necessary.
Common causes for PE include:
Sometimes, people with a PE have no signs or symptoms.
Other times, common signs and symptoms include:
PE is a serious medical emergency that also has clinical presentation similar to other emergencies. Because of this, clinical presentations, tests, assessments, and imaging are essential to ensure prompt diagnosis and treatment.
In addition to a complete exam and blood work, imaging that can be done includes a chest x-ray, ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scan, pulmonary angiogram, CT scan, and MRI.
Nursing interventions for patients with pulmonary embolism often include:
Pulmonary embolism is a common medical emergency. If you work in emergency health settings or critical care, at some point, you will encounter someone with a pulmonary embolism.
Having a thorough understanding of pulmonary health, blood work, and imaging are essential for early detection, treatment, and management of this condition.
Nurses are the most trusted profession for a reason. Patients often turn to nurses for medical information since there can be so many uncertainties about health care, medication, and more.
Some ways you can raise awareness about pulmonary embolism with patients include:
Some ways you can learn more about pulmonary embolism include:
Instances of pulmonary embolism can be hard to detect, especially in patients who do not present with any symptoms, who do not have standing orders for routine bloodwork, or who do not have any pre-existing health conditions.
In patients who have existing health conditions, pulmonary embolism can be overlooked and not early detected. As nurses, it is important to take a holistic view of each patient we care for.
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