A 70-year-old female is in the hospital for pelvic fracture. She develops pulmonary thromboembolism. This condition is the result of occlusion of a portion of the pulmonary vascular bed by an embolus of:
A) fat.
B) air.
C) tissue fragment.
D) blood clot.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Pulmonary thromboembolism is the occlusion of a portion of the pulmonary vascular bed by an embolus of blood clot. This clot usually originates in the leg veins and travels to the lungs, causing obstruction of blood flow and leading to pulmonary hypertension, right heart failure, and death if not treated promptly. Other types of emboli that can cause pulmonary embolism include fat, air, and tissue fragments, but these are less common.

A 70-Year-Old Female Is in the Hospital for Pelvic Fracture