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Monday, February 14, 2011

Pneumonia


Pneumonia:

It is the infection of the lungs caused due to the different microorganism ranging from bacteria, virus, fungi and parasite. This is the condition where the alveoli of the lungs swells up or filled with the fluids. As the hollow spaces of the alveoli are filled up with fluids, they tend to be solid and this situation is called consolidation which is mostly not present in viral and mycoplasma infection.

Pathophysiology of pneumonia: Organism invading in the lungs causes the immune system of the body to act. As a result of invading organism, the blood vessels within lungs leaks protein rich fluid to seep into alveoli resulting less area for exchange of the gasses. As patient disrupt the oxygen, the breathing occurs faster so to bring more oxygen and expel carbon dioxide. The mucous production in the pneumonia increased and leaking capillaries may cause the mucous to get tinge of blood. Fluid continues to fill in alveoli and debris resulting from WBC fighting infection also fills the alveoli, resulting in consolidation. This infection causes pyrexia, dyspnea, chest pain, vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, cyanosis, chills, cough, wheezing sound in cough etc.

Diagnosis: chest x-ray, CBC, mucous culture, blood test.

Treatment: antibiotic according to the organism, antipyretic to reduce fever, antiemetic to control vomiting.

Nursing care: continuous check of fever, vomiting, respiration rate. Inform the physician if the fever is above 39 degree Celsius, vomiting is excessive, respiration rate is more than 40. Encourage fluid intake. Observe cyanosis. Use heating pad or warm compress on the chest area. Personal hygiene. Mouth care. Positioning of patient. Check for oxygen supply if needed.


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