Of all the emergencies a hospital nurse may encounter, pulmonary embolism
(PE) ranks among the most serious. Approximately 10% of patients who exhibit
signs and symptoms of PE will die within one hour of the onset of symptoms
(Feied & Handler, 2006; Rumsey & Seaberg, 2004; Sharma, 2006).
Without prompt treatment even nonfatal PE carries a dire prognosis;
about a third of patients who survive a first untreated PE will eventually
succumb to a thrombosis (Sharma, 2006).
Pulmonary embolism, occurring about 600,000 to 650,000 times annually,
is the third most common cause of death in the United States, and is the
second or third leading cause of unexpected death across all age groups
(Fedullo & Tapson, 2003; Feied et al., 2006; “National Quality Forum,” 2006). Autopsy studies show that approximately 60% of
patients who have died in hospitals have had a PE, so the chances are
very good that most nurses will care for patients with PE at some time
in their nursing career (Feied et al., 2006).
The good news is that with timely intervention and proper treatment,
recurrence and mortality are rare (Fedullo et al., 2003). The bedside
nurse is in an ideal position to pick up on the first symptoms of PE and
initiate care that may literally make the difference between life and
death (Meyer & Lavin, 2005). In order to recognize the onset of PE,
make key decisions, and take effective measures, bedside nurses should
be familiar with the clinical aspects of this life-threatening condition.
This course is suitable for:
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