Pneumonia Flashcards
Why is C - confusion part of the CURB65?
Because elderly patients can present with atypical presentation, so confusion or atypical falls should always consider pneumonia.
What is bronchoalveolar lavage?
Which are the two Gram-negative organisms?
Klebsiella pneumonia
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
What are two common complications of pneumonia?
effusions and empyema (marked by ongoing fever, persistent inflammatory markers).
What is Sepsis Six?
Why are Parkinson’s patients at risk of pneumonia?
Poor swallowing mechanisms (>> aspiration)
What are the most common organisms for CAP?
streptococcus pneumoniae (20-75%)
Haemophilus influenzae
(these are the typical organisms)
+ atypical organisms
Remember HAP: pseudomonas, and straphlococcus aureus
Common antibiotic for CAP
amoxicillin 500mg tds (low severity pneumonia)
If parenteral then amoxicillin or benzylpenicillin, or clarithromycin
High severity; Co-amoxiclav + clarithromycin
How is CAP spread?
respiratory droplets
What signs, symptoms, investigations would suggest pleural effusion due to a bacterial pneumonia?
purulent, cloudy, coloured exudate
sputum analysis
consolidation on CXR
fever, rigors
Blood test : >> WBC & CRP +
What is one of the most defining symptoms of Pneumocystis jiroveci?
Rapid desaturation on exercise/ exertion.
Salient clinical features of pneumonia (5)
- cough
- purulent sputum
- fever
- pleuritis pain
- breathlessness
- Confusion (in the elderly)
What is the cause of chest pain with pneumonia?
inflammation of the pleura. Maybe a pleural rub can be auscultated.
Community-acquired pneumonia
common organism?
sputum colour?
associated symptoms?
Streptococcus pneumoniae (20-75%).
RUST-coloured sputum.
Often preceded by flu-like symptoms.
High fever and pleuritic pain common.
What drug can you give for CAP with pencillian allergy?
clarithromycin
What investigations would you do for pneumonia? and why?
FBC: raised WBC and neutrophils confirm infection
CRP snd erythrocyte sedimentation rate: confirm infection
Urea and electrolytes : dehydration common (raised urea and creatinine)
Liver function tests (can become deranged in atypical pneumonia)
ABG: indentify respiratory failure
ECG: AF common with pneumonia, rule out cardiac causes
CXR: consolidation/ effusion evidence?
What is A-a gradient?
It is a measure of the difference between the alveolar concentration (A) of oxygen
and the arterial (a) concentration of oxygen. It is used in diagnosing the source of hypoxemia.
What are course crackles a diagnostic sign of?
- Consolidation
- COPD
Which bacteria gives rust-coloured sputum?
Steptococcus pneumoniae
(pneumococcal pneumonia)
(CAP type pneumonia)