Pneumonia Flashcards
What is pneumonia?
A type of chest infection which has infiltrated the alveoli.
(Most chest infections are viral whereas most cases of pneumonia are bacterial)
What is pneumonia caused by?
Several different organisms
What are the (3) classifications of pneumonia?
- Community acquired pneumonia (CAP)
- Hospital acquired pneumonia (HAP)
- Ventilator acquired pneumonia (VAP)
What is Ventilator acquired pneumonia (VAP)?
A pneumonia that is acquired > 48 hours after intubation
What is Community acquired pneumonia (CAP)?
A pneumonia that is acquired outside a hospital setting
What is Hospital acquired pneumonia (HAP)?
A pneumonia that is acquired > 48hrs after being admitted to hospital
What are examples of bacterial causes of pneumonia?
- Pneumococcus
- Haemophilus influenzae
- Streptococcus pneumoniae
What are examples of viral causes of pneumonia?
- Influenza virus
- Respiratory syncytial virus
- Parainfluenza virus
- COVID-19
What are examples of fungal causes of pneumonia?
More usually found in patients who are immunocompromised (e.g. transplant patients, HIV)
What are risk factors of pneumonia?
- Age
- Weakened immune system
- Diabetes
- Long-term conditions (e.g. heart disease, lung disease)
- Smoking
- Excess ETOH
What problems can pneumonia cause?
- V/Q mismatch
- Hypoxaemia
- Breathlessness
- Secretion retention
Describe the pathophysiology of pneumonia.
- Pathogens find their way through to lower respiratory tract
- Alveoli become inflamed (full of exudate)
- Neutrophils sent to alveoli to fight infection (also fill alveoli)
- Mucosal swelling occurs (partial occlusion of bronchi)
- Reduced oxygen transfer
What are the S&S of pneumonia?
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Increased temperature
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
- Wheeze
- Increased sputum production
- Hypoxia
- Tachycardia
- ↑ Respiratory rate (Tachypnoeic)
What are the complications of pneumonia?
- Respiratory failure
- Pleural effusion
- Emphysema
- Lung abscess
- Heart arrhythmias
