Care of the patient with an acute pulmonary embolism

Nancy L York; Christy J Kane; Carol Smith; Lori A Minton

doi:10.1097/DCC.0000000000000082

Care of the patient with an acute pulmonary embolism

Dimens Crit Care Nurs. 2015 Jan-Feb;34(1):3-9. doi: 10.1097/DCC.0000000000000082.

Authors

Nancy L York¹, Christy J Kane, Carol Smith, Lori A Minton

Affiliation

¹ Nancy L. York, PhD, RN, CNE, is the assistant dean at Bellarmine University, Lansing School of Nursing & Health Sciences. Her primary undergraduate teaching focus is critical care. She also teaches evidence-based practice and health policy in the MSN and DNP programs. She has published in both medical and nursing peer-reviewed journals and has authored 2 textbook chapters. Dr York serves as a reviewer for Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing. Christy J. Kane, PhD, RRT-NPS, is the department chairperson and program director for the Respiratory Therapy Program at Bellarmine University. Dr Kane teaches a variety of topics including respiratory treatments and diagnostic testing, as well as mechanical ventilation. Dr Kane has published in peer reviewed journals as well as presented at national meetings. In addition, she has published 1 book chapter. Carol Smith, PhD, RN, is an assistant professor of nursing at Bellarmine University, Lansing School of Nursing & Health Sciences. Her primary undergraduate teaching focus is pharmacology and critical care. Lori A. Minton, MSN, RN, is an instructor at Bellarmine University, Lansing School of Nursing & Health Sciences. Her primary undergraduate teaching focus is fundamentals, medical/surgical nursing and critical care.

PMID: 25470260
DOI: 10.1097/DCC.0000000000000082

Abstract

There are evidence-based prevention strategies known to reduce the risk of pulmonary embolism formation. However, pulmonary emboli remain a leading cause of death in critically ill patients with a 3-month mortality of 10% to 15%. This article addresses patients' risk factors, pulmonary embolism prevention strategies, clinical manifestations, and treatment modalities the interdisciplinary team should understand.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Critical Care Nursing / standards*
Critical Illness*
Disease Management
Evidence-Based Nursing
Humans
Nursing Assessment
Pulmonary Embolism / nursing*
Risk Factors