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The lungs constitute the largest organ in the respiratory system. They play an important
role in respiration, or the process of providing the body with oxygen and releasing carbon
dioxide. The lungs expand and contract up to 20 times per minute taking in and disposing
of those gases.
Air that is breathed in is filled with oxygen and goes to the trachea, which branches off
into one of two bronchi. Each bronchus enters a lung. There are two lungs, one on each
side of the breastbone and protected by the ribs. Each lung is made up of lobes, or
sections. There are three lobes in the right lung and two lobes in the left one. The lungs
are cone shaped and made of elastic, spongy tissue. Within the lungs, the bronchi branch
out into minute pathways that go through the lung tissue. The pathways are called
bronchioles, and they end at microscopic air sacs called alveoli. The alveoli are
surrounded by capillaries and provide oxygen for the blood in these vessels. The
oxygenated blood is then pumped by the heart throughout the body. The alveoli also take
in carbon dioxide, which is then exhaled from the body.
Inhaling is due to contractions of the diaphragm and of muscles between the ribs.
Exhaling results from relaxation of those muscles. Each lung is surrounded by a two-
layered membrane, or the pleura, that under normal circumstances has a very, very small
amount of fluid between the layers. The fluid allows the membranes to easily slide over
each other during breathing.
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Pneumonia is a serious infection or inflammation of your lungs. The air sacs in the lungs
fill with pus and other liquid. Oxygen has trouble reaching your blood. If there is too little
oxygen in your blood, your body cells can’t work properly. Because of this and spreading
infection through the body pneumonia can cause death. Pneumonia affects your lungs in
two ways. Lobar pneumonia affects a section (lobe) of a lung. Bronchial pneumonia (or
bronchopneumonia) affects patches throughout both lungs.
Bacteria are the most common cause of pneumonia. Of these, Streptococcus pneumoniae
is the most common. Other pathogens include anaerobic bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus,
Haemophilus influenzae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, C. psittaci, C. trachomatis, Moraxella
(Branhamella) catarrhalis, Legionella pneumophila, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and other
gram-negative bacilli. Major pulmonary pathogens in infants and children are viruses:
respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus, and influenza A and B viruses. Among
other agents are higher bacteria including Nocardia and Actinomyces sp; mycobacteria,
including Mycobacterium tuberculosis and atypical strains; fungi, including Histoplasma
capsulatum, Coccidioides immitis, Blastomyces dermatitidis, Cryptococcus neoformans,
Aspergillus fumigatus, and Pneumocystis carinii; and rickettsiae, primarily Coxiella
burnetii (Q fever).
The usual mechanisms of spread are inhaling droplets small enough to reach the alveoli
and aspirating secretions from the upper airways. Other means include hematogenous or
lymphatic dissemination and direct spread from contiguous infections. Predisposing
factors include upper respiratory viral infections, alcoholism, institutionalization,
cigarette smoking, heart failure, chronic obstructive airway disease, age extremes,
debility, immunocompromise (as in diabetes mellitus and chronic renal failure),
compromised consciousness, dysphagia, and exposure to transmissible agents.
Typical symptoms include cough, fever, and sputum production, usually developing over
days and sometimes accompanied by pleurisy. Physical examination may detect
tachypnea and signs of consolidation, such as crackles with bronchial breath sounds. This
syndrome is commonly caused by bacteria, such as S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae.
NURSING PROFILE
a. Patient’s Profile
Name: R.C.S.B.
Weight:10 kgs
Mother: C.B.
Tx: Disudrin OD
Loviscol OD
Tx: Paracetamol
Sought consultation at ER: Rx=BPN, Salbutamol neb.
(+) TPC
d. Past Illness
(-) asthma
(-) allergies
e. Family History
• Active, responsive
g. Review of Systems
View NCP
NURSING ACTIONS
INDEPENDENT
• positioning of the patient with head on mid line, with slight flexion
rationale: to provide patent, unobstructed airway , maximum lung excursion
• auscultating patient’s chest
rationale: to monitor for the presence of abnormal breath sounds
• provide chest and back clapping with vibration
rationale: chest physiotheraphy facilitates the loosening of secretions
• considering that the patient is an infant, and has developed a strong stranger
anxiety
as manifested by “white coat syndrome” , it is a nursing action to play with the
patient.
rationale: to establish rapport, and gain the patients trust
DEPENDENT
COLLABORATIVE
11/19/06
Admit patient to ROC under the service of Dr. Vitan secure consent for admission and
management, TPR every shift then record. May have diet for age with strict aspiration
precaution, IVF D5 0.3NaCl 500cc to run at 62-63mgtts/min.May give paracetamol
125mg 1supp/rectum if oral paracetamol is not tolerated.
11/20/06
For urinalysis, IVF to follow D5 0.3 NaCl 500 at SR (62-63mgtt/m Use zinacef brand of
cefuroxine 750mg- given ½ vial 375mg every 8hours, nebulize (Ventolin 1 nebule)
every 6 hours, paracetamol drugs prn every 4hours (Temp 37.8).
11/21/06
Continue cefuroxine and nebulizer every 6 hours. May not reinsert IVF, revise
Cefuroxine IV to Cefuroxine 500mg via deep Intramuscular BID,continue management.
11/22/06