Running Head: PNEUMONIA: THE SILENT KILLER Exploring Pneumonia: A Silent Killer Abstract This paper explores Pneumonia and the respiratory disease process associated with bacterial and viral pathogens most commonly located in the lung. The paper examines the process, symptoms and treatments most commonly viewed in patient cases of Pneumonia. My goal is to educate the reader and to warn of the
* Pneumonia is refers to an infection in the lungs that causes swelling in the lungs tissue and this inflammation
Furthermore, after reviewing J.B.’s past medical, surgical, social and family history, medication, allergies, and review the systems, the nurse practitioner student ruled out postnasal drip as the differential diagnosis because J.B. denied having a postnasal drip that might cause coughs. Upon the physical examination, the student ruled out pneumonia because J.B. had clear bilateral lung sounds. The student did not rule out pneumonia before the physical examination is because signs and symptoms alone are not reliable to rule out pneumonia. Long, Long, & Koyfman (2017) states that the diagnosis of pneumonia requires a combination of clinical presentation, medical history, and physical examinations. The physical examinations, including dullness to percussion, wheezes, and crackles are the most reliable findings. Therefore, the final
Pneumonia is a disease that affects the respiratory system. Specifically, it is an inflammation of the lungs that can be caused by fungi, bacteria, viruses and parasites. Microscopic sacs in the lungs (Alveoli) become inflamed and fill up with fluid, which causes symptoms such as cough, fever, chills and trouble breathing. It is a lung disease that kills thousands every year and hospitalizes many more. Pneumonia is more serious and can be deadly for infants and elderly. This disease has personally affected me when my son was hospitalized with it for 5 days. He was only 10 months old at the time and was admitted with diagnosis of Pneumonia, low oxygen and dehydration.
Physicians usually prescribe one antibiotic that treats a wide range of organisms. If the first does not work they will prescribe another antibiotic that fights a different range of organisms. If severe symptoms they will sometimes start with two antibiotics and do a culture that would show what antibiotics the organism would be resistant to. (2011. Pneumonia)
Pneumonia is classified according to the organism causing the infection and where the infection was acquired. Community-acquired pneumonia is contracted by individuals with minimal contact with health care facilities – such as a hospital, nursing home, or rehabilitation facility – and contract the infection by people in the wider community (MedlinePlus, 2016). Hospital-acquired pneumonia and ventilator assisted pneumonia, can be caused by a wide variety of bacteria and other organisms that can originate from the health care environment (Oxford Journals, 2016). Pneumonia that develops whilst an individual is in hospital, can be extremely severe and is more likely to be fatal. This is due to the fact, that individuals within a health care setting, often already have a serious illness, causing a weakened immune system. Also, the types of bacteria present in hospitals, are often more dangerous and resistant to treatment – then the bacteria found in the outside community (MedlinePlus, 2016). Aspiration pneumonia – or anaerobic pneumonia - results after the inhalation of a foreign matter into the lungs. If foods, liquids, saliva, or vomit make their way into the airways or lungs, instead of the oesophagus and stomach, it can cause aspiration pneumonia. It is more likely in individuals with a disturbed gag reflex – commonly due to having a brain injury or being under the influence of drugs or anaesthetics (MedlinePlus,
Notified by the patient. Two patient verifier completed. Per PA Alford the patient was advised that her x-ray result were negative for pnuemonia. Currently the patient states that she is doind much better. She states that sh still has a cough but is improving. The patient denies fever, chill, SOB, and chest pain. Instructed the patient if she starts having this symptom report to the ER. Also instructed the patient if her symptoms worsen please scheudle an apt with her provider. The patient agrees and verbalize
A. List the common microbiologic organisms responsible for community-acquired and nosocomial pneumonias. 1. Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) for common microbiological organisms are: Bacterial a. Streptococcus pneumoniae b. Haemophilus influenza c. Moraxella catarrhalis Viral a. Rhinovirus b. Influenza 2. Nosocomial pneumonias a. Staphylococcus aureus b. Candida albicans c. Pseudomonas cepacia d. Clostridium difficile e. Tuberculosis f. Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus g. Legionnaires' disease B. Describe the clinical findings seen in patients with pneumonia. In the clinical setting it is found that when there is a bacterial infection that there is a sudden and rapid signs of illness in a patient. There will be dyspnea, hemoptysis, lethargic,
The client’s secondary diagnosis is community-acquired pneumonia. Typically, immune defense mechanisms, such as the secretion of alveolar macrophages and immunoglobulins A and G, protect the lower airway from infection. Streptococcus pneumoniae, the most common causative agent of community-acquired pneumonia, invades the lungs. The organism triggers an inflammatory response, resulting in increased blood flow and vascular permeability. Neutrophil activation occurs, to surround the kill the invading organism. A combination of the offending organism, neutrophils and fluid from the surrounding blood vessels flood the alveoli, inhibiting normal oxygen transportation. This filling of the alveoli may lead to tachypnea, tachycardia and dyspnea. Further obstruction of airflow and an increased impairment of gas exchange occur as mucous production increases. When
Pneumonia is often brought on by common cold or the flu. There are different types of pneumonia categorized as fungal, bacterial and viral pneumonia. A child with pneumonia often experienced fatigue and a productive cough including vomit. When an individual has pneumonia, “the lung tissue becomes inflamed and the alveoli fill with mucus and other debris, making it difficult for oxygen to be transferred” (Ruuskanen, Lahti, Jennings, & Murdoch, 2011, p. 1265). When there is deficit of oxygen to the cells inside the body, many symptoms may
Pneumonia is an illness of the lower respiratory tract in which the lungs become inflamed and congested and alveolar spaces are filled with fluid and cells-polymorphs and lymphocytes (Mandell L.A). It is an inflammatory condition of the lung and it is one of the most serious infections, causing two million deaths annually among the young and elderly. Pneumonia is the largest killer, accounting for 28% to 34% of all child deaths below five years of age in low-income countries and is an important cause of mortality in the elderly in high-income countries (Suárez).
Pathophysiology Paper Pneumonia Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lung which results into an excess of fluid or pus accumulating into the alveoli of the lung. Pneumonia impairs gas exchange which leads to hypoxemia and is acquire by inhaling a contagious organism or an irritating agent. (Ignatavicius & Workman, 2013). Fungal, bacteria and viruses are the most common organisms that can be inhale. Pneumonia could be community-acquired or health care associated. Community –acquired pneumonia (CAP) occurs out of a healthcare facility while health care associated pneumonia (HAP) is acquired in a healthcare facility. HAP are more resistant to antibiotic and patients on ventilators and those receiving kidney dialysis have a higher risk factor. Infants, children and the elderly also have a higher risk of acquiring pneumonia due to their immune system inability to fight the virus. Pneumonia can also be classified as aspiration pneumonia if it arises by inhaling saliva, vomit, food or drink into the lungs. Patients with abnormal gag reflex, dysphagia, brain injury, and are abusing drug or alcohol have a higher risk of aspiration pneumonia (Mayo Clinic, 2013). In the case of patient E.O., this patient had rhonchi in the lower lobe and the upper lobe sound was coarse and diminished. Signs and symptoms of pneumonia include difficulty breathing, chest pain, wheezing, fever, headache, chills, cough, confusion, pain in muscle or
Nursing Interventions Nurses play a vital role in observing and interpreting the current symptoms of patients. It is vital that nurses are able to understand the overall symptoms associated with certain diseases and drugs and can confidently present this information to the physician for review and proper patient treatment. Here, the patient's symptoms are suggesting a distinct and dangerous disease as well as possible side effects from Fentanyl.
Hospital Acquired Pneumonia October 7, 2010 Hospital Acquired Pneumonia Hospital acquired pneumonia is currently the second most common nosocomial infection in the United States and is associated with high mortality and morbidity (Seymann, 2008). This paper is a case study of a 52 year old female who was in the hospital for a scheduled gastric bypass surgery. During a post-op test she aspirated dye thus beginning the process of her developing nosocomial pneumonia. The patient was discharged only to return to the emergency department the following day presenting with signs and symptoms of pneumonia. This paper will discuss her diagnosis, treatment, risk factors, nursing care, socioeconomic influences, and diagnostic
I. Introduction This is a case of a 74 year old woman who was diagnosed with Community Acquired Pneumonia.