All of the following statements are TRUE about PE EXCEPT
The area of the brain most closely associated with memory is the temporal lobe, paicularly the hippocampus. PE presents with a syncopal episode up to 15 percent of the time. Altered mental status and generalized seizures may also be the presenting complaint, especially in the elderly. The most common presenting symptoms are chest pain and dyspnea (up to 85 percent); anxiety occurs in more than 50 percent of PE patients. Tachypnea (RR > 16) is seen in more than 98 percent of all cases, and tachycardia (resting HR > 100) is seen in up to 44 percent of all patients. Other signs are variable. The risk for embolism from proximal DVT is highest in the first week of its formation.
The risk for embolism from proximal DVT is highest in the first week
The majority of the patients with PE have at least one risk factor
Tachypnea is defined as a RR of greater than 16 breaths per minute
Syncope is the presenting complaint in up to 5 percent of cases