What it means
In hospital notes about breathing or clots, PE usually means a pulmonary embolismPUL-muh-nair-ee EM-buh-liz-umA blockage of an artery in the lungs, usually by a blood clot that has traveled there from elsewhere in the body.pulmon/o lung-ary relating toembol/o plug-ism conditionFull entry , a blockage of an artery in the lungs. In a history and physical it may mean the physical examinationFIZ-ih-kul ig-zam-ih-NAY-shunA head-to-toe or focused check of the body using looking, feeling, tapping and listening.Full entry , and some notes use it for pleural effusionPLOOR-ul eh-FYOO-zhunA buildup of extra fluid in the pleural space, between the lining of the lung and the chest wall.Full entry . The sentence around it tells which one is meant.
For the nurse
When the meaning is not clear, write the words out in full in your own notes.
Related terms
pulmonary embolism
A blockage of an artery in the lungs, usually by a blood clot that has traveled there from elsewhere in the body.
physical examination
A head-to-toe or focused check of the body using looking, feeling, tapping and listening.
pleural effusion
A buildup of extra fluid in the pleural space, between the lining of the lung and the chest wall.