While caring for a patient who has been admitted with a pulmonary embolism, the nurse notes a change in the patient's oxygen saturation (SpO2) from 94% to 88%. Which action should the nurse take next?
a. Increase the oxygen flow rate.
b. Suction the patient's oropharynx.
c. Instruct the patient to cough and deep breathe.
d. Help the patient to sit in a more upright position.
ANS: A
Increasing oxygen flow rate will usually improve oxygen saturation in patients with ventilation-perfusion mismatch, as occurs with pulmonary embolism. Because the problem is with perfusion, actions that improve ventilation, such as deep breathing and coughing, sitting upright, and suctioning, are not likely to improve oxygenation.
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