What is a pulmonary embolism?

What is a pulmonary embolism?

• A. A blockage in the bronchial tree
• B. Fluid accumulation in the lungs
• C. A collapse of the alveoli
• D. A blood clot in the lungs

Answer: (D)

A pulmonary embolism is a blockage in the arteries of the lungs caused by a blood clot that has traveled from somewhere else in the body, usually from a deep vein in the legs. This clot blocks blood flow through parts of the pulmonary circulation, creating a ventilation-perfusion mismatch and potentially causing hypoxemia and abrupt shortness of breath. It is an vascular event, not an obstruction of airways, not fluid buildup in the lungs, and not a collapse of the alveoli, which are features of other lung conditions. In brief, the defining idea is a clot traveling to and blocking the lung’s blood vessels.

A pulmonary embolism is a blockage in the arteries of the lungs caused by a blood clot that has traveled from somewhere else in the body, usually from a deep vein in the legs. This clot blocks blood flow through parts of the pulmonary circulation, creating a ventilation-perfusion mismatch and potentially causing hypoxemia and abrupt shortness of breath. It is an vascular event, not an obstruction of airways, not fluid buildup in the lungs, and not a collapse of the alveoli, which are features of other lung conditions. In brief, the defining idea is a clot traveling to and blocking the lung’s blood vessels.