67yo, post-op day 2 total knee. Keeps pulling off her SCDs.
Sudden: "I can't catch my breath." Sharp chest pain with every breath.
Anxious. Right calf swollen and warm. BP normal.
◀ All casesCase 7 of 8
Case 7 · Pulmonary embolism
Off Her SCDs
Bedside monitorLive
SpO286%
HR126
RR32
BP134/82
What do you do?
Answer: C) Sit her up, give O2, call rapid response
Raise the head of the bed, give O2, stay with her, and call rapid response.
Sudden SOB + sharp chest pain + fast heart rate + low SpO2 after surgery = suspect PE. Expect a CT pulmonary angiogram and a blood thinner per orders.
WHY: Oxygen and help come first. Morphine can mask symptoms and slow breathing. NEVER massage a possible DVT: it can send more clot to the lungs.
RememberSudden SOB after surgery? Think PE.
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Same patient, 12 hours, 9 decisions. The monitor changes with every call you make.
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