Pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia
• This impairs the gaseous exchange in the lungs, and the infection, leading to resolution of
resultant respiratory distress and hypoxia.
pneumonia.
•Resulting Symptoms and Complications.
However in some cases, particularly
The accumulation of fluid and inflammatory cells in the
lungs leads to; in immunocompromised individuals
• Viral pneumonia.
Common viruses include flu(influenza)
• Mycoplasma pneumoniae; commonly causes mild infections of the respiratory system.
Sometimes these bacteria can cause more serious lung infections that require hosptalisation.
• Good hygiene is important to help decrease the spread of M. pneumoniae and other
respiratory germs.
• Other pneumonias; These are caused by other infections including fungi.
Causes cont’d
RISK FACTORS
• Adults ages 65 and older.
• Children younger than age 5.
• People with an underlying health condition, weakened immune
system, organ transplant
• People who smoke and take alcohol.
• People receiving chemotherapy or taking medication that suppresses
the immune system
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
• When to see a doctor…
• Cyanotic lips and finger nails
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain when you breathe or cough
• Confusion or changes in mental awareness (in adults age 65 and older)
• Cough, which may produce phlegm- green, yellow and bloody mucus.
• Fatigue
• Fever, sweating and shaking chills
• Lower than normal body temperature (in adults older than age 65 and
people with weak immune systems)
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
For some older adults and people with heart failure or chronic lung
problems, pneumonia can quickly become life-threatening.
COMPLICATIONS
• Pleural effusion; Fever, chest pain, dry cough, shortness of breath, orthopnea
• Lung abscess- Pockets of pus inside or around the lungs (need to be drained with
surgery), fever, chest pain, foul-smelling productive cough that includes green,
brown, or blood-tinged sputum
• Collapsed lungs -commonly known as pneumothorax; Fast breathing, racing
heartbeat, shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain on deep breathing (usually on
one side of the chest)
• Respiratory failure; extreme fatigue, confusion, feeling like you can’t get enough air,
lips or fingers that turn blue, peripheral pulse-oximety reading consistently lower
than 90%
• Renal failure; studies show that pneumonia increases risk of chronic kidney
disease (CKD), and CKD can cause pneumonia.
DIAGNOSIS
• Take history and physical examination of the patient (Such as surgery,
a cold or travel exposures).
• Chest X-ray of internal tissues ,bones and lungs.
• CBC for infection, blood cultures and Arterial blood gas to check
amounts of oxygen in the bloodstream.
• Sputum culture.
• Pulse oximetry to check amounts of oxygen in blood.
• Chest CT scan of the lungs.
• Bronchoscopy. Exams the bronchi with a tube called bronchoscope to
assess blockages and take out samples of tissues or fluid for testing.
• Pleural fluid culture.
MEDICAL MANAGEMENT
• 1. Antibiotics includes penicillin derivatives such as Amoxicillin,
macrolides such as Azithromycin or Clarithromycin, Cephalosporins
and fluoroquinolones.
• 2.Supportive Care.
Fluids: Keeping hydrated helps thin mucus and make it easier to cough
up and prevents dehydration, especially if the person has fevers.
Rest: Adequate rest allows the body to focus on infection.
Pain relief: Such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen help reduce fever and
muscle aches.
• Oxygen therapy
• Respiratory support: Such as mechanical ventilation in severe cases.
Medical management continued
• 3.Supportive Management.
Fever reduction.ie acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Cough suppression.
Expectorants.To loosen mucus and make coughing more productive.
Bronchodilators:If there is any underlying asthma or COPD,
bronchodilators may be prescribed to open up the airway and ease
breathing.
• 4.Vaccinations with pneumococcal vaccine and influenza(flu)
vaccine.
• 5.Follow-up.It’s essential for patients with pneumonia to follow up
with their health providers.
SURGICAL MANAGEMENT
• Surgical management of lobar pneumonia is usually reserved for
cases where there are complications like lung abscess or empyema
(pus accumulation in the pleural cavity).
• Procedures may include drainage of the abscess or empyema,
decortication (removing the fibrous layer around the lung), or, in
rare cases, lobectomy (removal of the affected lobe). These
interventions are typically done in conjunction with antibiotic
therapy.
PREVENTION
• Vaccination with pneumococcal vaccine to children younger
• Impaired Gas Exchange related to alveolar-capillary membrane changes as evidenced by altered arterial blood
gases, hypoxemia, and cyanosis.
• Ineffective Breathing Pattern related to respiratory distress as evidenced by use of accessory muscles,
tachypnea, and abnormal breath sounds.