Pneumonia

Blando & Buendia

Objectives:
Define what is Pneumonia
Signs and Symptoms of Pneumonia
Understand the process of Pneumonia
Provide nursing diagnosis and nursing
interventions.
INTRODUCTION:
Globally, Pneumonia sustains as the leading cause of death among under
five years old children. The recent World Health Organization (WHO) global
report (2013) deemed that pneumonia accounts for approximately 120
million cases every year, among which 14 million (12%) progress to severe
pneumonia and developing countries belong into the most vulnerable vicinity
(95%). Pneumonia is one of the most important global health problems in
children less than 5 years of age, especially in developing countries. The
Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI), developed by the World
Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund, promotes
better patient management in order to reduce morbidity and mortality
resulting from common childhood diseases, including pneumonia.
DEFINITION:
Pneumonia is an infection that
affects one or both lungs. It
causes the air sacs, or alveoli, of
the lungs to fill up with fluid or pus.
Bacteria, viruses, or fungi may
cause pneumonia.
Philhealth Insurance Corporation
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS :
Chest pain when you breathe or
cough.
Confusion or changes in mental
awareness (in adults age 65 and
older)
Cough, which may produce
phlegm.
Fatigue.
Fever, sweating and shaking
chills.
Lower than normal body
temperature (in adults older than
age 65 and people with weak
immune systems)
Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
 DISEASE PROCESS
Exposure to Pathogens: Pneumonia is commonly caused by bacteria,
viruses, fungi, or, less frequently, parasites. These pathogens are usually
inhaled, although they can sometimes enter the lungs through the
bloodstream from another part of the body.

Colonization and Multiplication: Once in the

respiratory tract, the pathogens colonize and
multiply, often in the alveoli

Inflammation and Consolidation: The immune response

leads to inflammation in the affected lung tissue. This
inflammation causes the alveoli to fill with fluid and pus,
reducing their ability to function properly.
Symptoms: As the disease progresses, symptoms of pneumonia
become apparent. These symptoms can include fever, chills,
cough (which may produce phlegm), chest pain, rapid breathing,
shortness of breath, fatigue, and sometimes confusion,
particularly in older adults.

Complications: In severe cases, pneumonia can lead to complications

such as pleural effusion (accumulation of fluid around the lungs),
empyema (pus accumulation in the pleural cavity), lung abscess (localized
collection of pus within the lung tissue), sepsis (systemic inflammatory
response to infection), respiratory failure, and even death.

Resolution: With appropriate treatment, most cases of pneumonia

can be resolved. Antibiotics are typically used for bacterial
pneumonia, while antiviral medications may be used for viral
pneumonia. Supportive care such as rest, hydration, and oxygen
therapy may also be necessary.
 DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE

A sputum test, using a

sample of sputum (spit)
or mucus from your
cough, may be used to
find out what germ is Pulse oximetry measures how much
causing your pneumonia. oxygen is in your blood. Pneumonia
can keep your lungs from getting
enough oxygen into your blood. To
measure the levels, a small sensor
called a pulse oximeter is attached
to your finger or ear.
 DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE

A chest X-ray looks for

inflammation in your
lungs. A chest X-ray is
often used to diagnose
pneumonia.

Blood tests, such as a

complete blood count
(CBC) see whether your
immune system is
fighting an infection.
 MEDICAL MANAGEMENT

Antibiotics. These medicines are used

to treat bacterial pneumonia. It may
take time to identify the type of
bacteria causing your pneumonia and
to choose the best antibiotic to treat
it. If your symptoms don't improve,
your doctor may recommend a
different antibiotic. Cough medicine. This medicine
may be used to calm your cough
so that you can rest. Because
coughing helps loosen and move
fluid from your lungs, it's a good
idea not to eliminate your cough
completely.
MEDICAL MANAGEMENT

Fever reducers/pain relievers. You

may take these as needed for fever
and discomfort. These include drugs
such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil,
Motrin IB, others) and acetaminophen
(Tylenol, others).
 NURSING DIAGNOSIS
Ineffective Airway Clearance related to thickened
mucus secretions as evidenced by ineffective
cough
Decreased Activity Tolerance related to physical
deconditioning as evidenced by generalized
weakness
Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirement
related to decreased oral intake as evidenced by
weight loss and reported lack of appetite
 NURSING INTERVENTIONS:
Maintain Patent Airway clearance
Assess cough efffectiveness and productivity
Observe the sputum color and odor, report
changes
Assess patient Hydration status
Monitor I & O
Elevate the head of the bed and Instruct to
change position frequently
Encourage patient to rest
Administer medication as prescribed by the
physician
REFERENCES:
American Lung Association. (2024). Learn about pneumonia. Retrieved from https://www.lung.org/lung-health-
diseases/lung-disease-lookup/pneumonia/learn-about-pneumonia.
Cleveland Clinic. (2024). Pneumonia. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4471-
pneumonia
Healthline. (2024). Pneumonia. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/pneumonia
Mayo Clinic. (2024). Pneumonia - Diagnosis & treatment. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-
conditions/pneumonia/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354210
Mayo Clinic. (2024). Pneumonia - Symptoms & causes. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-
conditions/pneumonia/symptoms-causes/syc-20354204
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2024). Pneumonia - treatment. Retrieved from
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/pneumonia/treatment.
Nurseslabs. (2024). Pneumonia nursing care plans. Retrieved from https://nurseslabs.com/pneumonia-nursing-
care-plans/
Nih (2022) Pneumonia. Retrieved from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/pneumonia/diagnosis
WebMD. (2024). Understanding pneumonia basics. Retrieved from
https://www.webmd.com/lung/understanding-pneumonia-basics
Thank
you for
Listening!