PNEUMONIA
• Get vaccinated
• An infection that inflames the air sacs in one or
both lungs.
• The air sacs may fill with fluid or pus (purulent
material), causing cough with phlegm or pus,
fever, chills, and difficulty breathing.
• A variety of organisms, including bacteria,
viruses and fungi, can cause pneumonia.
• Can range in seriousness from mild to life-
threatening. It is most serious for infants and
young children, people older than age 65, and
people with health problems or weakened
immune systems.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
• Chest pain on breathe or cough
• Mental status changes - Confusion or changes in
mental awareness (in adults age 65 and older)
• Cough, which may produce phlegm
• Rhonchi and wheezes
• Fatigue
• Fever, sweating and shaking chills
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
• Use of accessory muscles for breathing
• Shortness of breath
CAUSES
• Community-acquired Pneumonia - is the most
common type of pneumonia. It occurs outside of
hospitals or other health care facilities. It may be
caused by:
• Bacteria
• Bacteria-like organisms
• Fungi
• Viruses, including COVID-19
• Hospital-acquired pneumonia – People who are on
breathing machines (ventilators), often used in
intensive care units, are at higher risk
• Health care-acquired pneumonia – A bacterial
infection that occurs in people who live in long-term
care facilities or who receive care in outpatient
clinics
• Aspiration pneumonia – Occurs when you inhale
food, drink, vomit or saliva into your lungs.
Aspiration is more likely if something disturbs your
normal gag reflex, such as a brain injury or
swallowing problem, or excessive use of alcohol or
drugs.
RISK FACTORS
• Pneumonia can affect anyone. But the two age
groups at highest risk are:
• Children who are 2 years old or younger
• People who are age 65 or older
• Other risk factors include:
• Being hospitalized.
• Chronic disease.
• Smoking.
• Weakened or suppressed immune system.
COMPLICATIONS
• Bacteria in the bloodstream (bacteremia)
• Difficulty breathing
• Fluid accumulation around the lungs (pleural
effusion)
• Empyema or Lung abscess
PREVENTION
• Practice good hygiene
• Don't smoke
• Keep your immune system strong
DIAGNOSIS
• Blood tests
• Chest X-ray (patchy infiltrates)
• Pulse oximetry
• Sputum test
• Older than age 65
• CT scan
• Pleural fluid culture
TREATMENT
• Antibiotics
• Cough medicine
• Fever reducers/pain relievers
NURSING INTERVENTIONS
• Primary Nsg Diagnosis: Ineffective airway
clearance related to increased production of
secretions and increased viscosity
Nursing Interventions
1. Administer oxygen as prescribed.
2. Monitor respiratory status.
3. Monitor for labored respirations, cyanosis, and
cold and clammy skin.
4. Encourage coughing and deep breathing and
use of incentive spirometer
5. Position client in semi-Fowler position to
facilitate breathing and lung expansion.
6. Change client’s position frequently and
ambulate as tolerated to mobilize secretions
7. Provide CPT
8. Perform nasotracheal suctioning if the client is
unable to clear secreations.
9. Monitor pulse oximetry.
10. Monitor and record color, consistency, and
amount of sputum.
11. Provide a high-calorie, high protein diet with
small frequent meals.
12. Encourage fluids up to 3 L a day to thin
secretions unless contraindicated.
13. Provide a balance of rest and activity, increasing
activity gradually.
14. Administer antibiotics as prescribed.
15. Administer antipyretics, bronchodilators,
mucolytic agents, and expectorants as
prescribed.
16. Prevent the spread of infection by hand washing
and the proper disposal of secretions.
• DRUG THERAPY:
• Erythromycin, Penicillin
DOCUMENTATION
1. Physical findings of chest assessment:
Respiratory rate and depth, auscultation
findings, chest tightness or pain, vital signs
2. Assessment of degree of hypoxemia: Lips and
mucous membrane color, oxygen saturation by
pulse oximetry
3. Response to deep-breathing and coughing
exercises, color and amount of sputum
4. Response to medications: Body temperature,
clearing of secretions