In: Nursing
Dorris, an 85-year old woman, came to your clinic complaining of left-sided calf pain. Her lower leg is swollen, red, and tender to the touch. You suspect a DVT could be the culprit and need to explain the risks a developing a PE. How would you explain a PE to Dorris and what signs/symptoms should she look for that might indicate a PE?
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a medical condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein. Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a blockage of an artery in the lungs by a substance that has moved from elsewhere in the body through the bloodstream (embolism)
You can have a PE without any symptoms of a DVT. Signs and symptoms of PE can include difficulty in breathing, Faster than normal or irregular heart beat ,Chest pain or discomfort, which usually worsens with a deep breath or coughing ,Coughing up blood , severe hypotension, lightheadedness, or fainting , If you have any of these symptoms, you should seek medical help immediately. Immediate medical attention is necessary to treat PE. In cases of severe, life-threatening PE, there are medicines called thrombolytics that can dissolve the clot. Other medicines, called anticoagulants, may be prescribed to prevent more clots from forming. Some people may need to be on medication long-term to prevent future blood clots.