Care Manager Certification Practice Exam

In a scenario of suspected pulmonary embolism, which assessment finding would be the most concerning?

1. Increased heart rate.

2. Respiratory distress.

3. Elevated blood pressure.

4. Chest pain.

The correct answer is: Respiratory distress.

In the context of suspected pulmonary embolism, respiratory distress is a particularly concerning assessment finding. This is due to the nature of a pulmonary embolism, where a blood clot obstructs a pulmonary artery, leading to impaired gas exchange and potentially resulting in significant hypoxemia. The presence of respiratory distress indicates that the patient is experiencing difficulty in breathing, which may result from inadequate oxygen supply or an obstructive process in the lungs. While increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and chest pain are also important signs that can indicate stress on the cardiovascular system or the presence of pain, they may not be as immediately indicative of a life-threatening situation as respiratory distress. Increased heart rate can be a compensatory mechanism, elevated blood pressure might not be present if the body is coping poorly with the embolism, and chest pain could stem from various causes, not exclusively from pulmonary embolism. However, respiratory distress directly impacts the patient's ability to oxygenate blood and can quickly escalate into a critical situation if not addressed immediately. Therefore, when assessing a patient with suspected pulmonary embolism, respiratory distress warrants urgent evaluation and intervention.