Nursing Priorities
What are the two highest priorities when dealing with a PE in an emergency setting
Hint: ABC
Stabilize airway and oxygen supplementation
What is the first line diagnostic procedure that can be done to confirm a PE
CT with contrast
What is the most common symptoms of a PE
Shortness of Breath/Stabbing pain
The most common source of a pulmonary embolism, originating from the legs
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Known for being part of the Miami Heat's big three in from 2010-2014, this basketball player had to retire from basketball due to having consistent pulmonary embolisms
Chris Bosh
What type of therapy are pts placed on if they have an increase risk for blood clots in the hospital setting
Anticoagulation therapy
What medication is started IV when a patient has an acute PE
IV heparin
How would the heart respond to a PE
Heart rate will increase (Tachycardia)
Long plane rides, immobility, and paralysis all slow this down, increasing the risk for clots
venous return
Known for being the greatest female tennis player of all time, also is known for being the richest female athlete, this 23 time Grand Slam winner suffered from multiple PE's
Serena Williams
If a pt is on a heparin infusion, and their ptt comes back as 105, what should be given next?
Protamine Sulfate
This lab result determines if there is the presence of a clot within the body, but does not give a specific location
D-Dimer
If a patient goes without supplemental oxygen for a long period of time when experiencing a PE, how would their skin look?
Cyanotic
Medications that females take in order to decrease the likely hood of pregnancy, also increases the chances of getting blood clots.
oral contraceptives
Known for his roles in "Law & Order" and "Get Shorty", this actor died at the age of 69 from a PE
Dennis Farina
If a patient is not getting better oxygenation despite using supplemental techniques, the nurse will recognize this as what kind of hypoxemia
Refractory hypoxemia
This medication is given if there is no signs of external and internal bleeding, due to its thrombolytic properties
tPA
Patients may complain of this psychological feeling during a PE, which may hint towards further complications
Impending doom
Having this syndrome puts you at a risk for PE's, and consists of having hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and hypertension
Metabolic Syndrome
This Jamaican-American rapper, known for his hit songs "Now that We Found Love" and "Got Me Waiting", died from a pulmonary embolism after a long flight.
Heavy D
A nurse should understand that this filter is placed in the patient to reduce the risk of a VTE becoming a PE, MI, or stroke
Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) filter
This scan is done to diagnose a PE when a pt can not get a CTA due to poor kidney function
V/Q scan
If the patients blood pressure were to drop drastically during a PE, and does not increase with IV fluids, what condition may they be experiencing
Obstructive Shock
PE's can be the result of a certain triad, made up by venous stasis, endothelial injury, and hypercoagulability. What is this triad?
Virchow's Triad
This basketball star, who played for the Portland Trailblazers, died from a pulmonary embolism at the age of 52
Jerome Kersey