Pneumonia
Nursing Diagnosis                Nursing Interventions                         Rationale
                                INDEPENDENT:
                                     Teach the patient the proper       The most convenient way to remove
Ineffective airway clearance          ways of coughing and                most secretions is coughing. So it is
     (related to copious              breathing. (e.g., take a deep       necessary to assist the patient during
tracheobronchial secretions.)         breath, hold for 2 seconds,         this activity. Deep breathing, on the
                                      and cough two or three              other hand, promotes oxygenation
                                      times in succession).               before controlled coughing.
                                     Position the patient upright       Upright position limits abdominal
                                      if tolerated. Regularly check       contents from pushing upward and
                                      the patient’s position to           inhibiting lung expansion. This
                                      prevent sliding down in bed.        position promotes better lung
                                                                          expansion and improved air
                                                                          exchange.
                                     Perform nasotracheal               Suctioning is needed when patients
                                      suctioning as necessary,            are unable to cough out secretions
                                      especially if cough is              properly due to weakness, thick
                                      ineffective.                        mucus plugs, or excessive or
                                                                          tenacious mucus production.
                                     Encourage patient to               Fluids help minimize mucosal
                                      increase fluid intake to 3          drying and maximize ciliary action
                                      liters per day within the           to move secretions.
                                      limits of cardiac reserve and
                                      renal function.
                                DEPENDENT:
                                     Maintain humidified oxygen         Increasing humidity of inspired air
                                      as prescribed.                      will reduce thickness of secretions
                                                                          and aid their removal.
                                     Give medications as                A variety of medications are
                                      prescribed, such as                 prepared to manage specific
                                      antibiotics, mucolytic              problems. Most promote clearance
                                      agents, bronchodilators,            of airway secretions and may reduce
                                      expectorants, noting                airway resistance.
                                      effectiveness and side
                                      effects.
                                     Coordinate with a                  Chest physiotherapy includes the
                                      respiratory therapist for           techniques of postural drainage and
                                      chest physiotherapy and             chest percussion to mobilize
                                      nebulizer management as             secretions from smaller airways that
                                      indicated.                          cannot be eliminated by means of
                                                                          coughing or suctioning.