A nurse caring for a patient with a pulmonary embolism expects to find which diagnostic result?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A pulmonary embolism can cause an increase in heart rate and may also result in nonspecific T-wave changes on an EKG. Patchy infiltrates on a chest x-ray may be seen in conditions such as pneumonia, but not specifically in a pulmonary embolism. A metabolic alkalosis on an arterial blood gas and an elevated CO2 level found on an end-tidal carbon dioxide monitor would not be expected findings in a patient with a pulmonary embolism.

A Nurse Caring for a Patient with a Pulmonary Embolism