Which statement best defines a pulmonary embolism?

Which statement best defines a pulmonary embolism?

• A. Air bubble in the lungs
• B. Fluid in the lungs
• C. Blood clot in the lungs
• D. Infection in the lungs

Answer: (C)

A pulmonary embolism is a blockage in one of the lung’s arteries caused by a blood clot that traveled from elsewhere in the body, usually from a deep vein in the legs. This clot obstructs blood flow in the lungs and can cause sudden shortness of breath and chest pain, and it’s a medical emergency. The other scenarios describe different problems: an air bubble would be an air embolism, fluid in the lungs is pulmonary edema, and an infection in the lungs is pneumonia. So a blood clot in the lungs best defines a pulmonary embolism.

A pulmonary embolism is a blockage in one of the lung’s arteries caused by a blood clot that traveled from elsewhere in the body, usually from a deep vein in the legs. This clot obstructs blood flow in the lungs and can cause sudden shortness of breath and chest pain, and it’s a medical emergency. The other scenarios describe different problems: an air bubble would be an air embolism, fluid in the lungs is pulmonary edema, and an infection in the lungs is pneumonia. So a blood clot in the lungs best defines a pulmonary embolism.