In pulmonary embolism, which finding may be observed?

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Prepare for the ECCO Caring for Patients with Cardiovascular Disorders Part 1 Test. Utilize flashcards and multiple-choice questions, complemented by hints and explanations for each query. Gear up for success in your exam!

Multiple Choice

In pulmonary embolism, which finding may be observed?

Explanation:
Pulmonary embolism blocks blood flow to parts of the lung, creating a mismatch between ventilation and perfusion. Ventilation can be normal in many areas, but perfusion is reduced, so less oxygen is picked up into the blood, leading to hypoxemia. This shows up as a low oxygen saturation on pulse oximetry. A productive cough isn’t a hallmark of PE, and hypercapnia without hypoxemia isn’t typical since PE usually causes low oxygen levels with or without ventilation changes. So observing a decreased SpO2 on pulse oximetry best fits the expected finding.

Pulmonary embolism blocks blood flow to parts of the lung, creating a mismatch between ventilation and perfusion. Ventilation can be normal in many areas, but perfusion is reduced, so less oxygen is picked up into the blood, leading to hypoxemia. This shows up as a low oxygen saturation on pulse oximetry. A productive cough isn’t a hallmark of PE, and hypercapnia without hypoxemia isn’t typical since PE usually causes low oxygen levels with or without ventilation changes. So observing a decreased SpO2 on pulse oximetry best fits the expected finding.

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