Pneumonia Cliffnotes Flashcards
Define Pneumonia
Acute inflammation of the lung parenchyma
- Largely affects the lower resp tract
Causes of Pneumonia (pathogens)
- Bacterial, Viral, or Fungal
- myocoplasma (smaller than bacteria)
- Protozoan
Name conditions that predispose a patient to pneumonia
- COPD
- Alcoholism/malnutrition
- Seizure disorder
- Chronic deliberating illness
- Major surgical procedures
- old age
Clinical signs and symptoms of pneumonia
a. Infection
b. Malaise
c. Fever
d. Chest pain
e. Dyspnea and tachycardia
f. Inspiratory crackles and bronchial b/s on auscultation
How would pneumonia present on a CxR?
Consolidations and air bronchograms
Pathophysiology of pneumonia
- Pathogenic microorganism reaches the gas exchange areas of the lung = tissue reaction = production of inflammatory exudates and cells
- WBC phagocytize organism = more inflammation
- Lungs fill with inflammatory exudates and cells becoming consolidated
- Tissue necrosis occurs = producing fibrous scar tissue decreasing lung function
- If no tissue necrosis occurs, the lungs heal normally and return to normal function
What is the most common causitive organism for bacterial pneumonia?
Streptococcus pneumonia
What can lead to decreased airway defensed mechanism in pneumonia
- Ineffective coughing
- Obtunded airway reflexes
- Impaired mucociliary transport system
- Obstructed airways
What are 5 types of bacterial pneumonia?
- Streptococcus pneumoniae:
- Haemophilus influenzae
- Klebsiella pneumoniae
- Legionella pneumoniae
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Types of Viral pneumonia?
- Influenza
- Adenoviruses
- Chickenpox (varicella zoster virus)
What do you treat Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia with?
Pentamidine
- Jiroveci pneumonia is mostly seen in AIDS; diagnosis is made from cultures of lung secretions
Treatments for pneumonia (in general)
- Antibiotics
- Supplemental O2
- Bronchial hygiene therapy
- Adequate hydration/nutrition
- Tracheal suctioning (if there is poor removal of secretions)
- Some of the above can be done via BAL
What is MRSA and what are treatments?
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
- A type of staph bacteria that’s resistant to many antibiotics, including methicillin
- Can cause severe pneumonia, especially in hospital-acquired (HAP/VAP) settings
- Common in ventilated patients or those with weakened immune systems
- Spread via direct contact, especially on hands or equipment
- Treated with special antibiotics like vancomycin or linezolid
What are Gram negative pneumonias caused by/treated with?
Caused by gram-negative bacteria, which have a tougher outer membrane → harder to treat
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa, ecoli and klebsiella are the most common
- Multi drug resistant and can lead to severe lung damage
- Often seen in hospitalized, ventilated, or immune compromised patients
