What is the most appropriate treatment for a pulmonary embolism during surgery?

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The most appropriate treatment for a pulmonary embolism during surgery is the administration of epinephrine, making it the correct choice. Pulmonary embolism can lead to a drop in systemic blood pressure and cardiovascular instability due to obstructed blood flow in the lungs. Administering epinephrine can help counteract these effects by increasing heart rate, improving myocardial contractility, and promoting vasoconstriction, thereby ultimately aiding in restoring hemodynamic stability.

When considering the nature of a pulmonary embolism, especially in the context of surgery, the rapid response of epinephrine is crucial in managing the acute situation. It can assist in increasing peripheral resistance and enhancing cardiac output, which is vital for patient survival.

The other options, while they may serve useful purposes in other scenarios or conditions, do not provide the immediate cardiovascular support required in a case of pulmonary embolism during surgery. For instance, phenylephrine is a selective vasopressor that may not provide the necessary increase in cardiac output, while furosemide is a diuretic that could worsen hemodynamic stability by reducing preload. Nitroglycerin (NTG) primarily causes vasodilation, which might exacerbate hypotension in this emergency situation. Thus, epinephrine stands

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