Necrotizing pneumonia Flashcards
what is necrotizing pneumonia
Necrotizing pneumonia is a severe bacterial lung infection that leads to lung tissue necrosis, cavitations, and abscess formation.
what are the most common pathogens
Staphylococcus aureus
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Streptococcus species
what are the risk factors?
Immunosuppression (HIV, chemotherapy, corticosteroid use)
Aspiration pneumonia
Untreated bacterial pneumonia
History of lung abscess or prior pneumonia
what are the early symptoms?
Severe respiratory distress
Fever, chills, productive cough with foul-smelling sputum
Pleuritic chest pain (sharp pain worsened by breathing or coughing)
what are the late symptoms?
Hemoptysis (coughing up blood)
Leukocytosis (high WBC count, sign of infection)
Sepsis signs (hypotension, tachycardia, altered mental status)
Lung abscess symptoms (chronic cough, weight loss, night sweats)
what are the severe complications?
Pulmonary cavitation (dead lung tissue forming air-filled spaces)
Septic shock (life-threatening infection spread)
Respiratory failure
Empyema (pus accumulation in the pleural space)
Pleural effusion (fluid buildup around the lungs)
what does CT scan show
shows lung cavitations, abscesses, tissue necrosis
what does chest x ray show?
Shows infiltrates and necrotic areas (less detailed than CT
what does lab test show?
Leukocytosis (elevated WBC count)
Positive sputum culture (confirms causative bacteria)
ABGs (hypoxia, respiratory acidosis if severe)
Blood cultures (if sepsis is suspected)
what are the first-line antibiotics used?
Long-term IV antibiotics (typically 4-6 weeks)
Vancomycin (covers MRSA)
Piperacillin-tazobactam (Zosyn) (broad-spectrum)
Carbapenems (imipenem, meropenem) (for resistant infections)
what is the supportive care for necrotizing pneumonia?
Oxygen therapy for hypoxia
IV fluids for hydration and blood pressure support
Airway clearance techniques (suctioning, chest physiotherapy)
Mechanical ventilation if respiratory failure occurs
what are the surgeries used?
Lobectomy or segmental resection (for extensive lung necrosis or non-responsive abscesses)
Drainage procedures for empyema
how do you prevent necrotizing pneumonia?
Early treatment of bacterial pneumonia (reduces risk of necrosis)
Smoking cessation (reduces lung infection risk)
Proper oral hygiene (lowers aspiration risk)
Aspiration precautions (for at-risk patients)
when do you seek emergency care?
Severe dyspnea or respiratory distress
Hemoptysis (coughing up blood)
High fever, worsening chest pain
Signs of sepsis (confusion, low BP, fast heart rate)
