The home care nurse is monitoring a patient discharged home after resolution of a pulmonary embolus. For what potential complication would the home care nurse be most closely monitoring this patient?

Question

A) Signs and symptoms of pulmonary infection
B) Swallowing ability and signs of aspiration
C) Activity level and role performance
D) Residual effects of compromised oxygenation

Answer 1

Ans: D
Feedback:
The home care nurse should monitor the patient for residual effects of the PE, which involved a severe disruption in respiration and oxygenation. PE has a noninfectious etiology; pneumonia is not impossible, but it is a less likely sequela. Swallowing ability is unlikely to be affected; activity level is important, but secondary to the effects of deoxygenation.