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A pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when material—most often part of a blood clot from a deep vein thrombosis—travels to and blocks part of the pulmonary arterial circulation.
A pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when material—most often part of a blood clot from a deep vein thrombosis—travels to and blocks part of the pulmonary arterial circulation. Most thromboembolic pulmonary emboli begin with a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The dangerous sequence is: # DVT → EMBOLUS TRAVELS TO LUNGS → PULMONARY ARTERY OBSTRUCTION → DECREASED PERFUSION + INCREASED RIGHT-HEART WORKLOAD A significant PE may cause: hypoxemia → right ventricular strain → decreased cardiac output → hypotension → obstructive shock For the practical/vocational nurse, the priority is to: recognize the change → assess the client → provide appropriate immediate nursing care → report/escalate deterioration → monitor response Do not wait for every classic symptom to appear.