Pneumonia

Question 1

What is pneumonia?

Answer 1

Pneumonia is an infection of the lung parenchyma, leading to inflammation and consolidation of the alveoli.

Question 2

What are the common types of pneumonia?

Answer 2

Types include community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP), aspiration pneumonia, and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).

Question 3

What are the typical symptoms of pneumonia?

Answer 3

Symptoms include fever, cough (productive or dry), dyspnoea, pleuritic chest pain, and fatigue.

Question 4

What are the common signs of pneumonia on examination?

Answer 4

Signs include tachypnoea, tachycardia, reduced oxygen saturation, bronchial breath sounds, crackles, and dullness to percussion over the affected area.

Question 5

What is the aetiology of community-acquired pneumonia?

Answer 5

Common causes include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

Question 6

What is the aetiology of hospital-acquired pneumonia?

Answer 6

It is commonly caused by Gram-negative bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella species.

Question 7

What is aspiration pneumonia?

Answer 7

Aspiration pneumonia occurs when oropharyngeal or gastric contents are inhaled into the lungs, causing infection and inflammation.

Question 8

What is the pathophysiology of pneumonia?

Answer 8

Pathogens invade the alveoli, triggering an inflammatory response, causing consolidation and impaired gas exchange.

Question 9

What are the risk factors for pneumonia?

Answer 9

Risk factors include advanced age, smoking, chronic diseases (e.g., COPD, diabetes), immunosuppression, and recent surgery or hospitalisation.

Question 10

What are the common complications of pneumonia?

Answer 10

Complications include pleural effusion, empyema, lung abscess, sepsis, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Question 11

What investigations are used to diagnose pneumonia?

Answer 11

Investigations include a chest X-ray, blood tests (e.g., full blood count, inflammatory markers), sputum culture, and blood cultures.

Question 12

What are the key findings of pneumonia on a chest X-ray?

Answer 12

Findings include consolidation, air bronchograms, and pleural effusion.

Question 13

What is the CURB-65 score?

Answer 13

The CURB-65 score is a tool used to assess the severity of community-acquired pneumonia and guide management decisions.

Question 14

What do the components of the CURB-65 score represent?

Answer 14

Components include Confusion, Urea >7 mmol/L, Respiratory rate ≥30, Blood pressure <90/60 mmHg, and Age ≥65 years.

Question 15

What are the differential diagnoses for pneumonia?

Answer 15

Differential diagnoses include pulmonary embolism, lung cancer, heart failure, and tuberculosis.

Question 16

What is the management of mild community-acquired pneumonia?

Answer 16

Management typically includes oral antibiotics like amoxicillin or clarithromycin and supportive care.

Question 17

What is the management of severe community-acquired pneumonia?

Answer 17

Management includes intravenous antibiotics, oxygen therapy, and hospitalisation.

Question 18

What is the first-line antibiotic for community-acquired pneumonia?

Answer 18

First-line treatment is usually amoxicillin or clarithromycin, depending on local guidelines and patient factors.

Question 19

How is hospital-acquired pneumonia treated?

Answer 19

Treatment involves broad-spectrum antibiotics such as piperacillin-tazobactam or meropenem, guided by local antibiograms.

Question 20

What supportive measures are used in pneumonia management?

Answer 20

Supportive measures include oxygen therapy, fluids for hydration, and antipyretics for fever.

Question 21

What is ventilator-associated pneumonia?

Answer 21

Ventilator-associated pneumonia occurs 48 hours or more after endotracheal intubation, typically caused by multidrug-resistant organisms.

Question 22

What lifestyle advice can help prevent pneumonia?

Answer 22

Advice includes smoking cessation, regular exercise, good hygiene, and vaccinations (e.g., pneumococcal and influenza vaccines).

Question 23

What is the role of vaccination in preventing pneumonia?

Answer 23

Vaccination against Streptococcus pneumoniae and influenza can significantly reduce the risk of pneumonia.

Question 24

What is the prevalence of pneumonia?

Answer 24

Pneumonia is a common condition, with an estimated incidence of 5–11 cases per 1,000 adults annually in the UK.

Question 25

What are the long-term complications of pneumonia?

Answer 25

Long-term complications include lung scarring, chronic respiratory symptoms, and reduced lung function.