Pneumonia Responses

Order Description

respond to 3 of my classmates discussion post in regards to their scenarios with at least 250 words. add on to the discussion to further the discussion by adding
information.. maybe state what you thought was interesting and add information to further discussion ( DO NOT CRITIQUE ,the purpose is to just add knowledge about
Pneumonia to their discussion)
and respond to a question provided at the bottom

Discussion1:
What is pneumonia?
If there is one thing I fear of for my geriatric patients to get, it’s pneumonia. I’ve seen too often that even with antibiotics, those who already suffer with
breathing issues struggle greatly throughout the healing process, if they are able to make it through. I grew up with Asthma and exercised doing lots of cardio to help
my body adjust to breathing problems and am not looking forward to battling a case of pneumonia and having my Asthma symptoms flare back up. Pneumonia is an infection
that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs. The air sacs may fill with fluid or pus (purulent material), causing cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills, and
difficulty breathing. A variety of organisms, including bacteria, viruses and fungi, can cause pneumonia (MayoClinic).
Who is most at risk for it?
Pneumonia can range in seriousness from mild to life-threatening. It is most serious for infants and young children, people older than age 65, and people with health
problems or weakened immune systems (MayoClinic).
I’ve always taken every precaution I can when I find out that one of my patients has pneumonia. I can’t risk taking it home to my children who are 1, 3, and 5 years
old.
What are the components of the nursing assessment that can be crucial in identifying pneumonia’s signs and symptoms? An example may be a productive cough, though there
are many that you can see in your assessment findings. I want you to list 5.
There are multitude of findings to help identify pneumonia is present in a patient. From the example, cough is a big sign. Shortness of breath would be key sign that
they are having issues filling their lungs with air since the sacs are filled with fluid. There may be a possible temperature present due to an infection in the lungs.
The patient may have increased fatigue related to fighting off the infection and not breathing well. Chest pain when you breathe or cough. Confusion or changes in
mental awareness (in adults age 65 and older). Lower than normal body temperature (in adults older than age 65 and people with weak immune systems). Nausea, vomiting
or diarrhea (MayoClinic).
Another sign that I didn’t see listed from the MayoClinic is using stomach muscles to breathe. My 5 year old daughter was diagnosed with Pneumonia after the nurse
noticed this sign.
What nursing interventions are important to do for this patient? I want you to list three interventions and why they are going to help.
I would attempt to make physical activity easier for the patient. If the geriatric patient must walk down his hall, then down the stairs, then down another hall just
to make it to the dining room, I would then consider having his meals delivered to them in their room.
My next intervention would be an attempt to prevent spread of the pneumonia with the use of Personal Protective Equipment. I would also consider giving the patient a
face mask if they are to be around many people in public. I would attempt to clean the room as much as I can in case they may have visitors.
My third nursing intervention would be to ensure the patient doesn’t become depressed or under stimulated from possible seclusion from others to help prevent further
infections. I would spend time with them to ensure this doesn’t happen.

Discussion 2:
What is pneumonia? “Pneumonia is a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection of one or both sides of the lungs that causes the air sacs, or alveoli, of the lungs to fill
up with fluid or pus.” (www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/pnu).
Who is most at risk for it? Immobile people, someone that is paralyzed, someone with a compromised immune system such as one with AIDS, someone that is having
difficulty with swallowing, someone with COPD, smokers, someone with asthma.
What are the components of the nursing assessment that can be crucial in identifying pneumonia’s signs and symptoms? An example may be a productive cough, though there
are many that you can see in your assessment findings. I want you to list 5. Auscultating lungs, O2 saturation, temperature, color and consistency of sputum,
respiration rate and rhythm.
What nursing interventions are important to do for this patient? I want you to list three interventions and why they are going to help.
1) Improving gas exchange by placing the patient in an upright position as this will help obtain greater lung expansion and improve aeration. (Nettina, 2010, pp. 288-
289).
2) Enhance airway clearance by encouraging the patient to increase their fluid intake which will help to thin the mucus and help promote expectoration. (Nettina, 2010,
pp. 288-289).
3) Relieve pain by administering prescribed pain medications which will help the patient to be more comfortable. (Nettina, 2010, pp. 288-289).

Discussion 3:
Pneumonia is inflammation of the lung parenchyma (the respiratory bronchioles and alveoli). (Pearson, 2015) The lungs may fill with fluid or pus, causing cough with
phlegm, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing. It can be caused from a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection. Some of the non-infectious causes include inhalation of
toxic chemicals and aspiration of the stomach contents. Many factors affect how serious pneumonia is, such as the type of germ causing the lung infection, age, and
overall health.
Pneumonia tends to be more serious for children under the age of five, adults over the age of 65, people with certain conditions such as heart failure, diabetes, or
COPD, or people who have weak immune systems due to HIV/AIDS, chemotherapy, or organ or blood and marrow stem cell transplant procedures.
When performing an assessment, it is important to understand and be able to identify the signs and symptoms and interventions that could be performed:
• Fever: Typically, a fever isn’t a huge cause for concern unless it is above 39.4, but reducing the fever may help the patient become a little more comfortable. To
help lower the fever increase the patient’s fluid intake, administer antipyretics, minimize clothing, and monitor their temperature frequently.
• Hypoxia: When the lungs begin to fill with fluid gas exchange becomes impaired making it difficult to breathe. Administering oxygen, repositioning to promote airway
clearance, and encouraging the patient to breath deep and cough will help promote gas exchange.
• Fatigue and weakness: A patient experiencing weakness will need rest periods, assistance with ADL’s, and a reminder to breathe. When a patient is experiencing
fatigue, their respiration’s tend to decrease.
• Pain: Providing adequate pain relief through prescribed analgesics will allow the patient to sleep and it will also help with the fever. When you are able to rest
your body is able to recover.
• Cough: Administering mucolytic’s to promote sputum expectoration and bronchodilators as prescribed will open the airway and allow the movement of sputum. Using chest
physiotherapy, increasing fluid intake, and changing positions will help the patient with a cough.
Pneumonia can quickly escalate from a minor to sever disease if not properly treated.Complications that may arise from pneumonia are:
• Bacteremia and septic shock. Bacteremia is a serious complication in which bacteria from the initial site of infection spread into the blood that may lead to septic
shock.
• Lung abscesses: usually are treated with antibiotics. Sometimes surgery or drainage with a needle is needed to remove the pus.
• Pleural effusions, empyema, and pleurisy. These painful or even potentially fatal complications can occur if pneumonia is not treated. If this happens, a patient may
need to have the fluid drained through a chest tube or removed with surgery.
• Respiratory failure: is one of the most important causes of death in patients with acute pneumococcal pneumonia. (NIH,2016)

QUESTION: people who smoke are more likely to get pneumonia. They have a higher risk in general for lung infections. What kinds of information can you teach to your
patient with pneumonia who smokes about smoking cessation?