Pneumonia: nursing management

Islamic University

Nursing College

Definition

Pneumonia is a pulmonary infection or

inflammation that develops after someone

inhales airborne pathogens or aspirates

pathogens in secretions from the upper

respiratory or gastrointestinal tract.

Classification- Bacterial- Viral- Fungal.

Depending on the patient's clinical and X-ray findings,

pneumonia is further classified as lobar pneumonia

(affecting one or more lobes), bronchopneumonia

(affecting the terminal bronchial tree, distal airways,

and alveoli), or inflammation of the interstitial space.

Community-acquired pneumonia is pneumonia that

someone contracts outside the hospital setting. In many

cases, a respiratory virus, such as influenza or adenovirus, is

the infectious organism. The most common bacterial cause is

Gram-positive Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Nosocomial (hospital-acquired) pneumonia develops

more than 7 days after hospital admission. It's likely to be

caused by different pathogens, including Staphylococcus

aureus and Klebsiella.

• Elderly

• Very young

• Cystic fibrosis

• Respiratory conditions

• Smoking

• Immunocomprompromised

• Heart disease

• Diabetes

Risk factors for Community-acquired pneumonia

(CAP)

Signs and symptoms

a. Cough,

b. Sputum

c. Dyspnea, Grunting

d. Pleuritic chest pain

e. Crackles (auscultation)

f. Dullness (percussion)

g. Fever or hypothermia

h. Low or high WBC count , Fever

i. Drowsiness

Less common signs and symptoms

a. Increased heart rate

b. Cyanosis

c. Retractions (infants and children)

d. Lung secretions

e. Dehydration

f. Anorexia

g. Behavior changes

X-ray findings

a. Viral

b. Bacterial

c. Uncommon organism

Treatment

1. Antibiotic therapy if applicable

2. Maintain oxygenation

3. Maintain airway clearance

4. Maintain adequate hydration

5. Monitor temperature

Patient education

1. Hand hygiene

2. Asthma control

3. Yearly flu immunization