Pneumonia

Question 1

What is and what causes Pneumonia?

Answer 1

• Community acquired – bacteria, viruses, fungi
• Hospital acquired – increased potential for antibiotic resistance
• Aspiration – inhalation of substance (food, drink, saliva, vomit) usually through cognitive impairment

A chest infection - fluid fills the air spaces

Question 2

What are the signs and symptoms of Pneumonia?

Answer 2

Signs and symptoms
* Cough with chest pain
* Fever, fatigue - loss of appetite
* Dyspnoea - difficulty breathing
* Confusion and low body temperature in
adults over 65

Question 3

What is the pathophysiology of Pneumonia?

Answer 3

So if there is:
* Compromised immunity
* Impaired mucociliary clearance, secretion accumulation
* Impaired cough reflex

This leads to the usual immune response, but whre the usual balance gets knocked off and there is inflammation - caused by a disruption of balance between defence mechanisms and respiratory tract organisms.

Question 4

What diagnotic tests and treatments are usual for Pneumonia?

Answer 4

Key diagnostic tests
* Chest x-ray
* Blood and sputum tests
* Spirometry

Conventional treatment
* Antibiotics
* Standard painkillers