nurse's notes

POLMUNARY EMBOLISM -

• refers to lodgement in one or more polmunary arteries of a thrombus or thrombi from venous system or in the heart
• presence of thrombus will interrupt blood supply so, it may cause infarction of lung tissue

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: of Polmunary emboli

• sudden substernal pain
• dyspnea (difficulty of breathing)
  
• rapid and weak pulse shock
• syncope
• sudden death
  

SIGNS of Polmunary arteries are obstructed:

• dyspnea (difficulty of breathing)
  
• mild substernal pain
• weakness
  
• tachycardia ( abnormal rapid pulse rate)
  
• fever
  
• cough
• hemoptysis (presence of blood in the sputum)
  

PREDISPOSING CAUSES:

Immobilization- produces slowing of blood flow can produce a thrombus . Thus polmunary embolism is always a danger in :

• patient after surgery
• obstetrical delivery
• prolonged bedrest
• aged individual who are inactive
• patient with congestive heart failure or with atrial fibrillation

MANAGEMENT:
1. prevent venous stagnation -

• patient on bed should be encourage an early ambulation or ambulate if possible according to his condition
• passive leg exercises
• deep breathing exercises

2. If large obstructing embolus should always ready for emergency therapy to combat shock, hypoxia and heart failure

3. patient be guarded for symptoms of cardiac arrest





my nursing notes
reference: medical-surgical nursing book