Pulmonary embolism: embolus is anything in circulatory system that moves from point of origin to distant sire and gets lodged, obstructing blood flow; pulmonary embolism is blood clot formed in vein that breaks off and circulates through venous system; clot can move to right side of heart, decreasing blood flow to lungs, reducing oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange; oxygen in blood may decrease low enough to cause cyanosis; signs/symptoms: dyspnea, tachycardia, tachypnea, varying degrees of hypoxia, cyanosis, acute chest pain, hemoptysis; can result in sudden death
