Pulmonary embolism: an overview of treatment and nursing issues.
Pulmonary embolism presents with a vague clinical picture. Pathophysiological effects vary from small pulmonary infarcts to life-threatening cardiogenic shock. Therefore, radiological investigation to confirm the diagnosis is required to institute appropriate treatment. This ranges from heparin therapy to surgical embolectomy. Care of this patient group requires vigilant nursing, because of not only the risk of further embolic episodes, but also the potential serious complications of treatment. Prevention of venous thromboembolism can be pharmacological or mechanical. The proactive role that nurses take in prevention of this potentially fatal disease process is often overlooked by the medical literature.
Reid
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Borders General Hospital, Galashiels.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015984:Causality; D017128:Embolectomy; D006493:Heparin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*
D000925:Anticoagulants; D006493:Heparin