Pulmonary embolism:identification, clinical features and management
Intended for healthcare professionals
Learning zone continuing professional development Previous     Next

Pulmonary embolism:identification, clinical features and management

Alistair Farley Lecturer in nursing
Ella McLafferty Senior lecturer
Charles Hendry Senior lecturer in nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Dundee, Dundee

Pulmonary embolism commonly results from blood clots in the venous system which lodge in and block a pulmonary blood vessel. Typical presenting features include chest pain, palpitations, breathing difficulties and haemoptysis. It is a common and potentially fatal condition. Timely diagnosis and treatment can significantly reduce morbidity and mortality rates and nurses need to be aware of the risk factors associated with the condition to identify high-risk patients.

Nursing Standard. 23, 28, 49-56. doi: 10.7748/ns.23.28.49.s55

Want to read more?

RCNi-Plus
Already have access? Log in

or

3-month trial offer for £5.25/month

Subscribe today and save 50% on your first three months
RCNi Plus users have full access to the following benefits:
  • Unlimited access to all 10 RCNi Journals
  • RCNi Learning featuring over 175 modules to easily earn CPD time
  • NMC-compliant RCNi Revalidation Portfolio to stay on track with your progress
  • Personalised newsletters tailored to your interests
  • A customisable dashboard with over 200 topics
Subscribe

Alternatively, you can purchase access to this article for the next seven days. Buy now


Are you a student? Our student subscription has content especially for you.
Find out more