Community Acquired Pneumonia Flashcards
What are the learning outcomes for understanding Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP)?
Common causes of pneumonia, typical presentation, patient evaluation, and empirical treatment options.
What are the common bacterial causes of community-acquired pneumonia?
Strep pneumoniae, H. influenzae, Staph. aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Legionella pneumophila.
Name some viral causes of community-acquired pneumonia.
RSV virus, influenza A or B virus, Parainfluenza virus.
List risk factors for CAP.
Age > 65 years, living in healthcare settings, COPD, smoking, alcohol abuse, poor oral hygiene, PPI use, contact with children.
What are common symptoms of pneumonia?
Fever, cough, difficulty breathing, fatigue, chest pain, and crackles upon auscultation.
What investigations are used to diagnose CAP?
Chest X-ray, sputum culture, blood tests (CRP, WBC), arterial blood gas, urinary antigen testing, PCR/serological tests.
What are the red flags for referral in CAP?
Signs of serious illness (e.g., sepsis or cardiorespiratory failure), CRB-65 score ≥ 3, low oxygen saturation.
What are the complications of CAP?
Pleural effusion, empyema, lung abscesses, sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
What antibiotics are commonly used for CAP?
Amoxicillin, doxycycline, clarithromycin, erythromycin.
What are key self-care and prevention tips for CAP?
Rest, hydration, nutrition, completing antibiotics, pneumococcal/flu vaccines, hand hygiene, avoid smoking.
What is the CRB-65 score used for?
Assessing CAP severity and determining treatment setting; factors include confusion, respiratory rate, BP, and age > 65.
What is the usual treatment approach for life-threatening CAP?
Prompt empirical treatment with broad-spectrum, high-dose, bactericidal antibiotics.
Name some differential diagnoses for CAP.
COVID-19, acute bronchitis, CHF, COPD exacerbation, asthma exacerbation, TB, lung cancer, pulmonary embolism.
