Advanced Patient Assessment Practice Exam

A patient with atrial fibrillation is particularly at risk for which pulmonary condition?

1. Pneumothorax

2. Pleural effusion

3. Pulmonary emboli

4. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

The correct answer is: Pulmonary emboli

A patient with atrial fibrillation is particularly at risk for pulmonary emboli primarily due to the formation of blood clots in the heart's atria. Atrial fibrillation is characterized by disorganized electrical activity in the atria, leading to ineffective contraction and potential stagnation of blood flow. This can result in the development of thrombi, especially in the left atrial appendage. When clot formation occurs, there is a chance that these clots can dislodge and travel through the bloodstream to the pulmonary arteries. If a clot lodges in these arteries, it can obstruct blood flow to the lungs, resulting in a pulmonary embolism. This condition can lead to significant respiratory distress and hemodynamic instability, making it a serious complication associated with atrial fibrillation. The other options, while they present their own risks, do not have the same direct connection to the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation. Pneumothorax is related to the presence of air in the pleural space, typically due to trauma or lung disease and not directly associated with the arrhythmia. Pleural effusion refers to the accumulation of fluid around the lungs and can occur due to various medical conditions but is not directly tied to the risks