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The Potentially Devastating Effects Of Pneumonia
expository essay explaining the acquisition and progression of a potentially ...
From Daniel Abshear
Elisabeth Fandrich10/13/08511, C, K
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is inflammation of the lower airways. It can be caused by a variety of organisms(e.g., bacteria, viruses, parasites, irritating agents, aspirated food/fluids). The inflammationresults in increased mucus production and thickening alveolar fluid.Prognosis is highly dependent on patient’s age, preexisting lung disease, infecting organism andresponse to antibiotics. 511, C, K is a 60 year old patient whose admitting diagnosis was pneumonia but who had a large array of coexisting disease processes. The prognosis of this patient is more difficult to estimate as there are so many factors involved. The patient has ahistory of Addison’s disease, CAD, CHF, A-Fib, pacemaker, MI, HTN, DM, hyperlipidemia,stroke, bipolar disorder, seizure disorder, COPD, dilated cardiomyopathy, cholecystitis withrecent cholecystectomy, chronic constipation, delirium, GERD, hypothyroidism, recurrent pneumonias, pulmonary HTN, edema, peripheral neuropathy, chronic anticoagulation, andBarrett esophagitis.Symptoms of pneumonia can include shortness of breath, dyspnea, fever, chills, cough, crackles,rhonchi, discolored (possible bloody) sputum, tachycardia, tachypnea, pain with respiration,headache, muscle aches, joint pains and nausea. 511, C, K presented to the ED with weakness,confusion and nausea which started several days previous to presenting at the ED. The patientalso stated that she had not produced a BM in 10 days. The patient’s abdomen was distended andfirm indicating possible obstruction. When I assessed the patient, I noted coarse crackles bilaterally, a grossly distended abdomen which was firm. The patient displayed generalizedweakness, tremors in both hands, expressive aphasia, confusion, pallor and cool extremities.A chest x-ray showed general appearance of congestive failure or pulmonary edema with a possible bibasilar pneumonia and cardiomegaly with a pacemaker. The patient has a slightlyelevated WBC on admission (10.51) and even more so with the most recent lab (11.64)indicating an infective process. The patient is also taking many medications that influence nearlyevery lab test performed.Common treatments for pneumonia include the use of supplemental oxygen (to help meet the body’s needs), antibiotics, bronchodilators, fluid intake increase (contraindicated for this patientdue to CHF), and encouraging the patient to perform coughing and deep breathing exercises aswell as incentive spirometry.
Pneumonia Elisabeth Fandrich1
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| Upload Date: | 05/14/2009 |
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