Pulmonary issues in acute and critical care: pulmonary embolism and ventilator-induced lung injury.

Many patients admitted to acute care hospitals are at risk for VTE. Nurses play a pivotal role in prevention of VTE events by assessing risk and implementing prophylactic interventions, promptly recognizing and reacting to signs and symptoms of DVT and PE, and collaborating with other team members to ensure rapid treatment ensues. When patients require mechanical ventilation, nurses need to remain alert for complications indicative of VILI, effectively communicate assessment findings to other team members and confidently implement nursing and ordered medical interventions to promote the best possible patient outcomes.