I Feel Like I'm Going to Die: What To Do When Your Patient Has a Pulmonary Embolism

👉 Watch on YouTube @SuperNurseAI 👉 Watch on YouTube    • Pulmonary Embolism Care: The Bedside Decis...   Timestamps 0:00 Introduction & the high-stakes PE scenario 2:15 Pulmonary embolism physiology: VQ mismatch & alveolar dead space 5:00 Virchow's Triad: venous stasis, endothelial injury & hypercoagulability 7:30 Right ventricular strain & the feeling of impending doom 9:45 Immediate bedside priorities: oxygen, positioning & crisis communication 12:30 Diagnostics: D-dimer, CT angiography & the nurse's logistical role 15:00 Heparin protocols: busting the Pac-Man myth & PTT monitoring 18:15 HIT: the paradoxical complication that changes everything 21:00 Air emboli, fat emboli & DVT prevention vs. treatment 23:30 Final thought: are we fixing patients or buying them time? Key concepts covered VQ mismatch and alveolar dead space — why ventilation is intact but oxygenation fails Virchow's Triad: venous stasis, endothelial injury, and hypercoagulable states Right ventricular strain and why "I feel like I'm dying" is a physiological alarm, not a panic attack Airway-first priority: high-flow oxygen via non-rebreather mask & semi-Fowler's positioning Crisis communication: why "I will stay with you" beats "You're going to be fine" D-dimer interpretation (normal ＜0.5) and CT angiography as the diagnostic gold standard Heparin's true mechanism — biochemical roadblock, not clot dissolver PTT monitoring: therapeutic target of 60–80 seconds, checked every 6 hours Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT): days 4–10, why platelet transfusion is dangerous, and transitioning to argatroban Protamine sulfate: heparin antidote, max 50mg over 10 minutes — never push fast Air embolism response: clamp the line, left Trendelenburg position immediately Fat embolism triad: hypoxia, acute confusion, petechial rash — classic post-long-bone fracture DVT prevention (SCDs, ambulation) vs. DVT treatment (strict bed rest, no massage, no compression) About this show Super Nurse is created by Brooke Wallace — 20-year ICU nurse, organ transplant coordinator, clinical instructor, and published author Each episode bridges textbook theory and real-world bedside nursing for students and new nurses Subscribe and watch the video version on YouTube at the link above Tags pulmonary embolism NCLEX heparin critical care ICU nursing DVT HIT pharmacology nursing school bedside assessment anticoagulation VQ mismatch Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and is designed to support nursing students and new nurses in understanding clinical concepts. It does not constitute medical advice. Always follow your institution's protocols and consult licensed healthcare providers for patient care decisions. Want to reach out? Send an email to [email protected] or visit SuperNurse.ai The content presented in The Super Nurse Podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. The host and creators are not responsible for any clinical decisions made based on this content. Always adhere to your institution’s policies and consult appropriate healthcare professionals when making patient care decisions.