Pulmonary embolism: identification, clinical features and management.

Pulmonary embolism commonly results from blood clots in the venous system which lodge in and block a pulmonary blood vessel. Typical presenting features include chest pain, palpitations, breathing difficulties and haemoptysis. It is a common and potentially fatal condition. Timely diagnosis and treatment can significantly reduce morbidity and mortality rates and nurses need to be aware of the risk factors associated with the condition to identify high-risk patients.