PNEUMONIA

Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lung parenchyma that is caused by a microbial agent.

“Pneumonitis” is a more general term that describes an inflammatory process in the lung tissue
that may predispose a patient to or place a patient at risk for microbial invasion.

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

Aspiration of gastric content or bacteria

enter the lungs

Inflammatory response

Cavity extend to bronchus

Abscess become encapsulated

Tissues necrotize

Increase production of sputum

Purulent sputum
 PRIORITIZED NURSING PROBLEM FOR PNEUMONIA
Nursing Diagnosis Nursing Intervention Rationale

Ineffective airway Independent

clearance
1. Assess the rate, rhythm, and
depth of respiration, chest
movement, and use of
accessory muscles.
● Altered breathing patterns
may occur together with
use of accessory muscles
to increase chest excursion
to facilitate effective
breathing.

2. Assess cough effectiveness ● Coughing is the most

and productivity effective way to remove
secretions. Pneumonia may
cause thick and tenacious
secretions to patients.

3. Elevate head of bed, change ● Doing so would lower the

position frequently. diaphragm and promote
chest expansion, aeration
of lung segments,
mobilization and
expectoration of
secretions.

4. Teach and assist patients ● Deep breathing exercises

with proper deep-breathing facilitate maximum
exercises. Demonstrate expansion of the lungs and
proper splinting of chest and smaller airways, and
effective coughing while in improve the productivity
upright position. Encourage of coughing.
him to do so often.
Dependent
● Stimulates cough or
1. Suction as indicated: mechanically clears airway
frequent coughing, in patients who are unable
adventitious breath sounds, to do so because of
desaturation related to ineffective cough or
airway secretions. decreased level of
consciousness. Note:
Suctioning can cause
increased hypoxemia;
hyper oxygenate before,
during, and after
suctioning.

Interdependent

1. Assist and monitor effects ● Nebulizers humidify the

of nebulizer treatment and airway to thin secretions
other respiratory and facilitate liquefaction
physiotherapy: incentive and expectoration of
spirometer, IPPB, secretions.
percussion, postural
drainage. Perform
treatments between meals Reference:
and limit fluids when https://nurseslabs.com/pneumonia-
appropriate nursing-care-plans/