An 18-year-old high school football player sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the state
playoffs. After undergoing repair, he found it difficult to ambulate with the knee brace. Weighing close to 140 kg
(~300 pounds), the athlete found it difficult to stand and balance on one leg. His mother was unable to support
him by herself. After 1 week, the young man began to have increased pain and swelling in the calf of his
affected leg. In the middle of the night, the teen called out to his mother, complaining of a shortness of breath
and unexplained anxiety. His mother called 9-1-1, and he was taken to a local hospital. In the emergency
department, he was diagnosed with a deep vein thrombosis and a pulmonary embolism. Oxygen and lowmolecular-weight heparin were administered, and the young man was admitted to the intensive care unit. The
patient is evaluated for multiple Pulmonary emboli. What risk factors and clinical findings are commonly associated with Pulmonary Emboli?
Required Textbook Readings
McCance, K.L., Huether, S.E., Brashers, V.L., Rote, N.S. (2019) Pathophysiology: The biologic basis for
disease in adults and children. (8th ed.). Maryland Heights, MO: Mosby Elsevier
Sample Solution
