Most pulmonary emboli originate from thrombi in the:
leg veins
Which of the following is a thrombolytic (fibrinolytic) agent?
Tissue Plasminogen Activator (TPA)
Name three commonly used diagnostic testing procedures for pulmonary embolism:
abgs
hemodynamic values
radiographic findings
Which of the above three is considered most definitive?
x-ray/ pulmonary angiogram- most definitive test to confirm presence of embolism
Name three common types of emboli:
Pulmonary infarction due to pulmonary emboli is rare because the lung tissue receives oxygen
from three sources. What are these three sources?
directly from airways
perfusion past the embolus
collateral blood flow via bronchial arteries
Contributing factors for the development of a DVT include:
venous stasis
damage to blood vessels
hypercoagulability - abnormal platelets
What is the most common symptom of a patient with pulmonary emboli?
dyspnea
What respiratory therapy modality is always indicated in the treatment of pulmonary embolism?
Which of the following hemodynamic values would commonly be INCREASED in a patient with pulmonary emboli?
PAP
CVP
Name three contributing factors to atelectasis:
inadequate lung distention
obstruction of airways
insufficient surfactant levels
contributing factos sample of inadequate lung distention
age
chest wall deformities - kyphosis, scoliosis
copd
obesity
muscle disruption due to surgery
neuromuscular disease
surgical trauma to phrenic nerve
contributing factors sample of obstruction of airways
retained secretions
weak or absent cough
failure of mucosiliary transport
contributing factors sample of insufficient surfactant levels
anesthetic gases
pulmonary edema
reduction of perfusion
Which chest X-ray finding would be seen in pulmonary atelectasis?
Mediastinal shift away from the affected area
Hyperlucency in the affected area
Elevation of the diaphragm on the affected side
What three respiratory therapy modalities are often indicated in the treatment of postoperative atelectasis? What does each modality treat? (Ahem, ‘modalities’ are general, not specific)