A Patient Is Diagnosed with a Large Pulmonary Embolism

A patient is diagnosed with a large pulmonary embolism. When explaining to the patient what has happened to cause respiratory failure, which information will the nurse include?

A) "Oxygen transfer into your blood is slow because of thick membranes between the small air sacs and the lung circulation."
B) "Thick secretions in your small airways are blocking air from moving into the small air sacs in your lungs."
C) "Large areas of your lungs are getting good blood flow but are not receiving enough air to fill the small air sacs."
D) "Blood flow though some areas of your lungs is decreased even though you are taking adequate breaths."