Answer to Question 1
ANS: C
A long surgical procedure or if the patient's knees have been raised can predispose the patient to a pulmonary embolism. Some other precursors to a pulmonary embolism include obesity, dehydration, congestive heart failure, and atrial fibrillation. Local trauma to a vein or venous disease enhances the chance of thrombus formation. Hypercoagulability may coexist with conditions such as pregnancy, fever, myocardial infarction, and some malignancies and after abrupt cessation of anticoagulant therapy.
Answer to Question 2
ANS: B
Supportive measures used to treat hypotension include elevating the legs to increase blood pressure by draining pooled blood, especially after sympathetic blockade; breathing in oxygen by mask to assist in respiration; and rapid IV fluid therapy to increase blood volume.