Bacterial Infection: Pneumonia

Question 1

What is CAP? Who is usually affected by this?

Answer 1

Community acquired pneumonia (those who haven’t been in a healthcare setting- more common in elderly, males, alcoholics, those with chronic conditions)

Question 2

Which two microorganisms are most commonly responsible for pneumonia?

Answer 2

S. pneumonia and H.influenzae

Question 3

Why are individuals with renal failure more likely to die from pneumonia?

Answer 3

Don’t produce enough EPO from kidneys to replenish supply of RBCs

Question 4

What is HAP? Who is usually affected by this?

Answer 4

Hospital acquired pneumonia (those who have been in a healthcare setting)

Question 5

What is the CURB 65 system? Describe the categories and results.

Answer 5

. Used for determining whether patient is cause for concern for pneumonia
. C Confusion- mini mental score of 8 or less
. U Urea- above 7mmol/l
. R Respiratory Rate- above 30 breaths per minute
. B Blood pressure- lower than 90/60
. 65 years old or above

Question 6

What score is low severity bacterial pneumonia? How would you treat this?

Answer 6

. Low severity (score 0-1)

. Amoxilicillin

Question 7

What score is moderate severity bacterial pneumonia? How would you treat this?

Answer 7

. Moderate severity (score 2)

. Amoxilicillin and clarithromycin

Question 8

What score is high severity bacterial pneumonia? How would you treat this?

Answer 8

. High severity (score over 3)- co-amoxiclav and clarithromycin given i.v. (must review daily to try and step down to oral treatment asap due to risk of infection with i.v.)

Question 9

How would you treat legionella-caused pneumonia?

Answer 9

Treat with i.v. co-amoxiclav and clarithromycin for longer

Question 10

What does co-amoxiclav consist of?

Answer 10

Amoxicillin and clavulanic acid (both beta-lactams)