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Bacteria. The Most Common Cause of Bacterial Pneumonia Is Streptococcus

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that causes inflammation of the air sacs. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Symptoms include cough, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing. Those at highest risk are young children, older adults, hospital patients, smokers, and people with chronic diseases or weakened immune systems. Treatment involves antibiotics, supportive care like oxygen therapy, and nursing interventions like encouraging deep breathing and coughing exercises.

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Louise Opina
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50 views4 pages

Bacteria. The Most Common Cause of Bacterial Pneumonia Is Streptococcus

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that causes inflammation of the air sacs. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Symptoms include cough, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing. Those at highest risk are young children, older adults, hospital patients, smokers, and people with chronic diseases or weakened immune systems. Treatment involves antibiotics, supportive care like oxygen therapy, and nursing interventions like encouraging deep breathing and coughing exercises.

Uploaded by

Louise Opina
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Pneumonia

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.

Causes:

 Bacteria. The most common cause of bacterial pneumonia is Streptococcus


pneumoniae.

 Bacteria-like organisms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae also can cause pneumonia. It


typically produces milder symptoms than do other types of pneumonia.

 Fungi. 

 Viruses, including COVID-19. 
Risk factors

Pneumonia can affect anyone. But the two age groups at highest risk are:

 Children who are 2 years old or younger

 People who are age 65 or older

Other risk factors include:

 Being hospitalized. 

 Chronic disease. 

 Smoking. 
 Weakened or suppressed immune system. 
The signs and symptoms of pneumonia may include:

 Cough, which may produce greenish, yellow or even bloody mucus

 Fever, sweating and shaking chills

 Shortness of breath

 Rapid, shallow breathing

 Sharp or stabbing chest pain that gets worse when you breathe deeply or cough

 Loss of appetite, low energy, and fatigue

 Nausea and vomiting, especially in small children

 Confusion, especially in older people

Treatment:
The patient with pneumonia needs antimicrobial therapy based on the causative agent.
Reevaluation should be done early in treatment.
Supportive measures include:
• humidified oxygen therapy for hypoxia
• bronchodilator therapy
• antitussives
• mechanical ventilation for respiratory failure
• positive end-expiratory pressure ventilation to maintain adequate oxygenation for patients with
severe pneumonia on mechanical ventilation
• high-calorie diet and adequate fluid intake
• bed rest
• analgesic to relieve pleuritic chest pain.
Nursing Interventions:

 Elevate head of bed, change position frequently.


 Teach and assist patient with proper deep-breathing exercises. Demonstrate proper
splinting of chest and effective coughing while in upright position. Encourage him to do
so often.
 Maintain adequate hydration by forcing fluids to at least 3000 mL/day unless
contraindicated (e.g., heart failure). Offer warm, rather than cold, fluids.
 Encourage ambulation.
 Monitor serial chest x-rays, ABGs, pulse oximetry readings.
 Suction as indicated: frequent coughing, adventitious breath sounds, desaturation
related to airway secretions.
 Administer medications as indicated:
o antibiotics
o mucolytics
o expectorants
o bronchodilators
o analgesics
 Use humidified oxygen or humidifier at bedside.
 Anticipate the need for supplemental oxygen or intubation if patient’s condition
deteriorates.

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