Safety Tips
- If a person has a clot in their leg and it breaks off, traveling to the lungs, this is a pulmonary embolus PE, a life threatening event. If the person has unexplained shortness of breath, pain with deep breathing, or coughs up blood call emergency medical services, 911, immediately.
- A rapid and irregular heart rate can also be a sign of a PE. See our lesson on Taking a Pulse.
- A stocking can irritate or worsen a skin lesion on the leg. Check with the doctor about applying a stocking.