Which treatment supports oxygenation in pulmonary embolism?

• A. Supplemental oxygen
• B. Vasopressors
• C. Anticoagulants
• D. Vena cava filters

Answer: (A)

In pulmonary embolism, blood flow to parts of the lung is blocked, causing ventilation to be wasted where perfusion is reduced, leading to low oxygen levels in the blood. Supplemental oxygen directly increases the amount of oxygen the lungs can put into the blood, helping raise arterial oxygen saturation and overall oxygen delivery to tissues even though the clot itself isn’t yet dissolved.

Vasopressors may help if there’s shock, but they don’t improve oxygen transfer in the lungs. Anticoagulants stop new clots from forming and help prevent propagation, but they don’t rapidly correct low oxygen levels. Vena cava filters prevent new emboli from reaching the lungs but don’t improve gas exchange in the current embolic event.