PNEUMONIA

By the end of this presentation learners should be able to;

-Define pneumonia.
-State causes and predisposing factors of pneumonia.
-Identify signs and symptoms of pneumonia.
-Describe nursing management of pneumonia.
-Select and use diagnostic tests for pneumonia.
-Outline pharmacological treatment for pneumonia.
 PNEUMONIA
• It is an infection that inflames the air sacs
in one or both lungs.
OR
Pneumonia means infection of the alveoli.
-This occurs when pulmonary defense
mechanisms fail to prevent inhaled or
blood borne microbes reaching and
colonizing the lungs.
• Pneumonia is most serious for infants and
young children , people older than age 65 and
people with health problems or weakened
immune system.
 Pneumonia can be classified into;
• Community acquired pneumonia(CAP)
-It is a common infectious disease that occurs
either in the community setting or within the
first 48hours after hospitalization or
institutionalization.
It may be caused by;
-Bacteria ; staphylococcus aurues
-Fungi
-Viruses , including COVID-19
 Cont …
• Health care acquired pneumonia
-It is a bacterial infection that occurs in people
who live in long-term care facilities or who
receive care in outpatient clinics, including
kidney dialysis centers.
-It can also be caused by staphylococcus aureus.
 Cont …
• Hospital acquired pneumonia
-It develops 48 hours or more after admission
and does not appear to be incubating at the
time of admission
-People who are on breathing mechanisms
(ventilators) , are at higher risk of this type of
pneumonia.
-It is caused by bacteria especially Escherichia
coli.
PREDISPOSING FACTORS OF PNEUMONIA

• Reduced respiratory tract defenses

-Coughing is an effective cleaning mechanism,
but if it is impaired or lost by , for example,
damage to the respiratory muscles or by
painful coughing , then respiratory secretions
may accumulate and become infected.
 Cont …
• Hospitalization
-Hospitalization can be a predisposing factor ,
especially when mechanically assisted
ventilation is required , partly because of
exposure to a wide range of potentially
antibiotic-resistant and more pathogenic
organisms.
The risk of pneumonia is increased in extremes
of age , hypothermia , chronic disease(e.g.
heart failure , chronic renal failure ,
alcoholism) or immunosuppression caused
by , corticosteriod drugs.
Distribution of infected tissue in pneumonia

• Lobar Pneumonia
-It is common in previously healthy young
adults.
-It is confined to one or more lobes of one lung ,
because the lobes are separated from each
other by the lung fissure , preventing spread
from one lobe to another.
 Cont …
• Bronchopneumonia
-It occurs most commonly in immunosuppressed
people and in the very young and very old people
and death is fairly common.
-Other predisposing factors include;
*inhalation of gastric contents e.g. drug overdose
*pre-existing lung disease
*inhalation of infected material from the upper
respiratory tract
Signs and Symptoms of pneumonia
ADULTS
• Chest pain that is aggravated by deep
breathing and coughing.
• Shortness of breath.
• Sputum is often purulent.(i.e. green or yellow)
• Rapidly raising fever
• Headache
• Tachypnea (25 to 45 breaths/min)
 Cont …
CHILDREN
-Vomit
-fever and cough
-restless or tired without energy
-have difficulty breathing
 Diagnostic tests of pneumonia
• Blood tests : To confirm infection and to try to
identify the type of organism causing infecion.
• Chest X-ray : To determine the extent and
location of the infection.
• Sputum test : It is taken after a deep cough
and analyzed to help pinpoint the cause of the
infection.
Basic Nursing Management of Pneumonia

• Keep patient comfortable and warm

This help it fully focus on fighting the infection.
• Give the patient fluids.
Fluids hydrate the body and loosen mucus in the
lungs.
• Tepid sponging.
To help reduce fever.
Put the patient in a fowlers position.
Pharmacological treatment of pneumonia

-Use analgesics for pain relief;

CHILDREN
Paracetamol 125mg-250mg 3 times daily for 5
days.
ADULTS
Paracetamol 500mg-1g 3 times daily for 5 days.
Indications
-To relieve mild or moderate pain such as
headaches.
-To reduce fever.
Contraindications
-Someone with liver or kidney problems.
-have ever had an allergic reaction to
paracetamol.
Side effects
-liver and kidney damage
-breathlessness
-tiredness
• Give antibiotics
CHILDREN : Erythromycin 125mg-250mg 4times
daily for 7days.
ADULTS : Erythromycin 500mg-1g 4times daily
for 7days
Indications
-To prevent and treat infections in many
different parts of the body , including
respiratory tract infections.
Contraindications
-fast heartbeat
-liver or kidney problems
Side effects
-Stomach cramps
-diarrhoea
-loss of appetite
THANK YOU
FOLKS.