Pneumonia Flashcards
What is pneumonia?
Pneumonia is an infection of the lung parenchyma, leading to inflammation and consolidation of the alveoli.
What are the common types of pneumonia?
Types include community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP), aspiration pneumonia, and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).
What are the typical symptoms of pneumonia?
Symptoms include fever, cough (productive or dry), dyspnoea, pleuritic chest pain, and fatigue.
What are the common signs of pneumonia on examination?
Signs include tachypnoea, tachycardia, reduced oxygen saturation, bronchial breath sounds, crackles, and dullness to percussion over the affected area.
What is the aetiology of community-acquired pneumonia?
Common causes include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
What is the aetiology of hospital-acquired pneumonia?
It is commonly caused by Gram-negative bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella species.
What is aspiration pneumonia?
Aspiration pneumonia occurs when oropharyngeal or gastric contents are inhaled into the lungs, causing infection and inflammation.
What is the pathophysiology of pneumonia?
Pathogens invade the alveoli, triggering an inflammatory response, causing consolidation and impaired gas exchange.
What are the risk factors for pneumonia?
Risk factors include advanced age, smoking, chronic diseases (e.g., COPD, diabetes), immunosuppression, and recent surgery or hospitalisation.
What are the common complications of pneumonia?
Complications include pleural effusion, empyema, lung abscess, sepsis, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
What investigations are used to diagnose pneumonia?
Investigations include a chest X-ray, blood tests (e.g., full blood count, inflammatory markers), sputum culture, and blood cultures.
What are the key findings of pneumonia on a chest X-ray?
Findings include consolidation, air bronchograms, and pleural effusion.
What is the CURB-65 score?
The CURB-65 score is a tool used to assess the severity of community-acquired pneumonia and guide management decisions.
What do the components of the CURB-65 score represent?
Components include Confusion, Urea >7 mmol/L, Respiratory rate ≥30, Blood pressure <90/60 mmHg, and Age ≥65 years.
What are the differential diagnoses for pneumonia?
Differential diagnoses include pulmonary embolism, lung cancer, heart failure, and tuberculosis.
What is the management of mild community-acquired pneumonia?
Management typically includes oral antibiotics like amoxicillin or clarithromycin and supportive care.
What is the management of severe community-acquired pneumonia?
Management includes intravenous antibiotics, oxygen therapy, and hospitalisation.
What is the first-line antibiotic for community-acquired pneumonia?
First-line treatment is usually amoxicillin or clarithromycin, depending on local guidelines and patient factors.
How is hospital-acquired pneumonia treated?
Treatment involves broad-spectrum antibiotics such as piperacillin-tazobactam or meropenem, guided by local antibiograms.
What supportive measures are used in pneumonia management?
Supportive measures include oxygen therapy, fluids for hydration, and antipyretics for fever.
What is ventilator-associated pneumonia?
Ventilator-associated pneumonia occurs 48 hours or more after endotracheal intubation, typically caused by multidrug-resistant organisms.
What lifestyle advice can help prevent pneumonia?
Advice includes smoking cessation, regular exercise, good hygiene, and vaccinations (e.g., pneumococcal and influenza vaccines).
What is the role of vaccination in preventing pneumonia?
Vaccination against Streptococcus pneumoniae and influenza can significantly reduce the risk of pneumonia.
What is the prevalence of pneumonia?
Pneumonia is a common condition, with an estimated incidence of 5–11 cases per 1,000 adults annually in the UK.
What are the long-term complications of pneumonia?
Long-term complications include lung scarring, chronic respiratory symptoms, and reduced lung function.
