What it means
A blood vessel can be occluded by a clot or plaque, cutting off blood flow, as in a heart attack or stroke. An IV line or feeding tube is occluded when it is blocked and fluid will not flow. In dentistry, occlusion means how the upper and lower teeth meet.
For the nurse
When an infusion pump alarms for occlusion, check for a closed clamp, kinked tubing or a bent arm before suspecting a clot, and never force a flush.
At a glance
| Spanish | oclusión |
|---|---|
| Also written | occlusions, occluded |
Related terms
thrombosis
The forming of a blood clot (a thrombus) inside a blood vessel or the heart.
infarction
Death of an area of tissue (an infarct) because its blood supply has been cut off.
ischemia
Too little blood flow to a part of the body, so the tissue does not get enough oxygen.