Pneumocystis Case Studies

It has been repeatedly stated that oral care is important in the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Endotracheal intubation predisposes patients to developing VAP. The tube acts as a conduit from the mouth to the lungs – a perfect track for bacteria to descend upon. Khezeri, et al. (2014) suggest that “the presence of an endotracheal tube (ETT) inhibits normal coughing, normal swallowing, and the protection of the trachea contact by epiglottis closure.” In addition, an endotracheal tube keeps the patients mouth open – leading to dryness. Bacteria are not washed away by saliva. Also, Landgraf, et al. (2017) mention that the presence of an endotracheal tube in the mouth causes “changes in the oral epithelium” which “might indicate risk for infection in intensive care patients

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,

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

(McMurray, 2007). “The agent in this study is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, an acid fast aerobic rod that reproduces slowly and is hypersensitive to heat and ultraviolet light. TB primarily affects the respiratory system; however, it can also affect the pericardium, lymph nodes, meninges, kidneys, intestines, bones, joints, and reproductive organs” (The Merck Manual, 2014). “The transmission of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis is spread from person to person via airborne droplets through actions such as coughing, talking and sneezing. The smaller the droplet, the longer it can stay in the air after the infected person has left the area. This causes an increase in the probability of inhalation by another individual. Passing TB from a family member or co-worker is more likely than a stranger in a store or on the streets”. (Reichler et. al, 2002). Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the infectious disease agent, is readily transmitted to susceptible humans, the host, through respiratory exposure in communal settings or public gatherings, the environment. Individuals with compromised immune systems, such as cancer, being on corticosteroid therapy, and HIV/AIDS, are at greatest risk for getting TB infection. Healthcare workers are continuously exposed to illnesses at the hospitals and long term care facilities, which puts them at risk for

Ventilator - associated pneumonia (VAP) is the second most common hospital acquired infection (HAI) and is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates for ventilated patients in intensive care units (Bingham, Ashley, Jong, & Swift, 2010). The VAP increases patients’ mortality rates, length of stay and hospital costs (Hiner, Kasuya, Cottingham, & Whitney, 2010). The VAP is the leading causes of death due to nosocomial infections and the

Dust pneumonia was probably caused by the extraneous amounts of dust in people’s food, water, air, furniture, beds, dishware, walls, windows and floors. Although protection was made to seal the dust out (a paste of flour, water, and strips of cloth), it was not enough to prevent dust pneumonia. Sadly, this disease continued to attack more and more as the Dust Bowl continued

On the early morning of August 17, 2002, James C., a patient in one of the wards under the supervision of Ellen Hughes Finnerty, RN, went into respiratory depression. Between 3:00 and 4:00 a.m., Ann Mugi, the patient’s primary nurse, sought the assistance of a respiratory therapist, Hiran Obeyesekere, to help her care for the patient. As Obeyesekere suctioned the patient airway, Mugi called the service of the patient’s primary care physician, Dr. Jackson, to report the changes in the patient’s respiratory status, e.g., respiratory rate of 40 breaths per minute and low urine output.

This case study, finalized and updated onto the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, talks about the Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Wandsworth Infections Linked to Veggie Booty. Publishing this outbreak onto their website makes it very beneficial and helps the public realize the importance of food health. Food health is just as important as overall public health. It is essential because people need to consume food in order to live, and if their food is tainted or contaminated, it would cause health problems and sickness and in some extreme cases, death. Ensuring food health will overall promote public health in the long run.

The first case of foodborne botulism was in Ellezellesin, Belgium in December 14, 1895. Thirty-four musicians had a meal at a local inn and all consumed a ham that had been infected by Clostridium Botulinum. Following the meal, all the musicians experienced visual disturbances, generalized weakness, shortness of breath, and difficulty speaking (Maki). Three of the musicians died over seven days and the organs of the musicians who died were given to Emile-Pierre-Marie Van Ermengem, a professor of microbiology and a physician at Ghent (Maki). He conducted a clinical, toxicological, and bacteriologic investigation on the bacteria (Maki). He found that the pig had been slaughtered four months before being served to the musicians and was cut into two separate hams. The ham served at the inn, the one the musicians got sick from, had no signs of microscopic decay but bacteria was found(Maki). The second ham, which the musicians didn’t eat, did not

Pneumocephalus, defined as an accumulation of intracranial air, is a common finding after neurosurgical procedures. However, pneumocephalus is not associated with any symptoms in the vast majority of cases [1, 2]. In addition to neurosurgery, other possible causes of pneumocephalus include craniofacial trauma, infections, and tumors of the skull base. Although is not frequent, spontaneous pneumocephalus has been described as well. By Reasoner et al., 66% of CT scans performed after intracranial surgery showed 5-10% of the volume being occupied by intracranial air with all postoperative scans detecting trace amounts of air [2]. The time required for complete reabsorption of the entrapped air is approximately 2-3

The Pneumocystis Pneumonia Report, also known as the first report of AIDS, was reported during the early 1980s. It was unveiled that this outbreak was not a form of pneumonia and that it was prevalent in the gay community. Due to the sudden emergence of this disease Americans were left in the dark leaving minds to conjure up ideas of how this disease was spread. The outbreak of this newly found “Gay Man’s Disease” left an alteration of the outlooks of Americans by the end of the rapid fire of this disease. The Pneumocystis Pneumonia Report caused America to put a stigma on gay males as well as raise awareness in order to combat HIV/AIDS, the workforce to be diminished due to the illness of workers leaving many with the inability to provide for their households and companies scrambling to replace workers, and forced AIDs relief plans to be set forth by the government.

Berylliosis is uncommon, that is affecting workers, “in the aerospace, nuclear, telecommunications, semi-conductor and electrical industries. It has been recognized as a cause of occupational lung disease since the 1940s and can cause an allergic immune response (beryllium sensitization), acute beryllium disease (similar to acute pneumonitis) and chronic beryllium disease (a granulomatous lung disease with symptoms similar to sarcoidosis)” (Patient plus). Historically, black miners have been evident to show higher dust levels than were white miners. “Black men are employed underground in high-dust occupations such as drilling and stopping, whereas white men are largely employed in supervisory

Pyelonepheritis, also known as a kidney infection is when a pathogen causes infection of the upper urinary tracts, that can include ureter, renal pevis, and kidney interstitium (McCance & Huether, 2014). According to the Mayo Clinic, kidney infections are caused by bacteria that begins in the urinary tract and is spread through the urethra into the kidneys (2014). "Micoorganisms usually associated with acute pyelonephritis include E. Coli, Proteus, or Psuedomonas" (McCance & Huether, 2014, p. 1351). The bacteria present in the kidney causes an inflammatory response and edema can occur.

Symptoms of vomiting, abdominal pain, headaches, weakness, and diarrhea can occur within one hour and last less than 24 hours. Diagnosis is through stool culture and treatment is supportive therapy. The most well-known Salmonella infection is Salmonella typhi, which is transmitted through contaminated food and water. Typhoid fever is divided into 4 stages. In the first stage, symptoms of malaise, headache and cough develop. In the second stage, high fever, bradycardia, rose spots, crackles in the lung, hepatosplenomegaly, distended abdomen and loose stools are observed. In the third stage, intestinal hemorrhage, encephalitis, cyclic fevers are prevalent. In the last stage, the fever starts to subside. Diagnosis is made through stool culture and the patient is treated through oral rehydration therapy. Antibiotics like ceftriaxone or ciprofloxacin can also be given. Camplylobacter is another bacterial cause of gastroenteritis. It is commonly associated with the consumption of contaminated poultry dish. Patients get diarrhea (loose to bloody), fever and malaise. It is diagnosed through stool culture. Disease is self-limiting, but antibiotics like ciprofloxacin can be given. Yersinia can be acquired through uncooked meat, contaminated water and milk leading to watery and bloody diarrhea and fever. It is typically self-limiting and does not require antibiotics. Of note, patients with Yersinia enterocolitica can experience

The patient's overall symptoms and lab work suggest that she is suffering from hospital acquired pneumonia. Currently the patient is presenting a moist chesty cough. Additionally, her heart rate is elevated, her oxygenation is low, and her RR is high. She has a raised white blood cell count, which indicates infection. Finally, the patient is acting confused and disoriented, which can be the direct result of a lack of oxygenation to the brain. All of these symptoms point to pneumonia (Torres, 1999).