title: Pulmonary Embolism in the Postanesthesia Care Unit: A Case Study.
abstract: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a complication that can occur at any time during the perioperative period. The patient undergoing surgery to repair a hip fracture is at a high risk of developing a PE due to venous thrombosis, tissue, or fat emboli. The signs and symptoms of a PE are often nonspecific and can be obscured in the patient receiving or recovering from general anesthesia. This case study describes the presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of a patient experiencing a pulmonary embolism in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) after surgery to repair a hip fracture.
authors.forename: Debbie
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Jackie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Murauski
mesh_terms: D000768:Anesthesia, General; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D016528:Postanesthesia Nursing; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D011997:Recovery Room; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants
keywords: PACU; case study; orthopaedic; pulmonary embolism