Pneumonia

Question 1

What is another term for pneumonia?

Answer 1

pneumonitis

Question 2

What is pneumonia?

Answer 2

inflammation of the alveoli and bronchioles

Question 3

What causes pneumonia?

Answer 3

microbes:
- bacteria (MOST COMMON)
- viruses (will get into the septum - area between alveoli - recall picture depicting typical vs. atypical pneumonia)
- fungi (inhaled spores)
non-infectious types:
- aspiration
- noxious fumes

Question 4

Other than by injurious agent, what is another way to classify pneumonia?

Answer 4

by area in the lung that is affected, example:
lobar pneumonia
bronchopneumonia

Question 5

What is the pathology of pneumonia?

Answer 5

• impaired pulmonary defenses
• injurious agent is able to enter the respiratory tract and proceed to the lungs
• injurious agent causes inflammation
• inflammation causes pulmonary edema (exudate)
• build up of fluid impairs gas exchange (increases the diffusion distance)

Question 6

What are manifestations of pneumonia?

Answer 6

• fever and chills
• dyspnea
• sputum (exudate and mucus)
• headache
• lethargy, myalgia
• chest pain

Question 7

How is pneumonia treated?

Answer 7

• give supportive treatment

- antibiotics are used if the injurious agent is bacteria

Question 8

How is pneumonia diagnosed?

Answer 8

• history and presentation
• chest x-ray (will show inflammation and areas of consolidation = accumulation of exudate and debris that has hardened)
• sputum analysis (to ID injurious agent)