Pulmonary embolism: early recognition and management in the postanesthesia care unit.

Based on the content of this article, the reader should be able to (1) list patients who are at risk to develop pulmonary embolism; (2) identify measures to prevent pulmonary embolism; (3) list the signs and symptoms of pulmonary embolism; (4) identify diagnostic tests and pertinent findings for pulmonary embolism; (5) identify nursing priorities for a patient with pulmonary embolus; and (6) identify medical and surgical interventions to treat the patient with a pulmonary embolus.