A 38-year-old female presents to the emergency room with complaints of dyspnea and left leg pain. Patient reports that her left leg started feeling heavy a few days ago and has also been red since she returned from a recent trip. She denies any injury to her leg. She reports that she started having some dyspnea in the last 24 hours. Patient history is remarkable for systemic lupus erythematosus and a history of recent airplane travel. She is also taking oral birth control. Her bp is 130/84, heart rate 100, R 24, and temp is 100.4F. Physical exam reveals unilateral +2 pitting leg edema to left leg with erythema.
In your Case Study Analysis related to the scenario provided, explain the following
The pulmonary pathophysiologic processes that result in the patient presenting these symptoms.
my answer
The patient’s symptoms and history suggest a possible deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the leg. The risk factors include her recent long-distance travel (prolonged immobility), use of oral contraceptives (which can increase blood clotting), and her systemic lupus erythematosus (which can also increase the risk of blood clots). The dyspnea, or difficulty breathing, could indicate that a part of the clot has broken off and traveled to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism, which is a serious condition. This patient needs immediate medical attention, including diagnostic tests such as a D-dimer blood test, ultrasound of the leg, and possibly a CT scan of the chest. Treatment typically involves anticoagulant medications to prevent further clotting.
Any racial/ethnic variables that may impact physiological functioning.
How these processes interact to affect the patient.
