▪ Introduction

▪ Definition
▪ Causes
▪ Risk factors
▪ Sign & symptoms
▪ Complication
▪ Types
▪ Prevention
▪ Treatment
▪ Nursing intervention
 Introduction
Pneumonia is a form of acute respiratory infection that affects
the lungs. The lungs are made up of small sacs called alveoli,
which fill with air when a healthy
person breathes. When an
individual has pneumonia, the
alveoli are filled with pus and
fluid, which makes breathing
painful and limits oxygen intake.
Pneumonia is the single largest infectious cause of death in
children worldwide. Pneumonia killed 740 180 children under
the age of 5 in 2019. Pneumonia affects children and families
everywhere, but deaths are highest in South Asia and sub-
Saharan Africa. Children can be protected from pneumonia, it
can be prevented with simple interventions, and treated with
low-cost, low-tech medication and care.

Definition
Pneumonia:
▪ is a bacterial, viral or fungal infection that affects one or
both lungs.
▪ This inflammation results in the alveoli in the lungs filling
with fluid and pus. This makes the person unable to
breathe, and thus reduces the percentage of oxygen in
the bloodstream
 Causes
Causes of Pneumonia

Viruses, bacteria, and fungi can all cause pneumonia. In the

United States, common causes of viral pneumonia are :-
Influenza viruses
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
• SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19)
Common causes of bacterial pneumonia are
• Streptococcus pneumoniae
(pneumococcus) and, especially in
kids, Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
The bacteria and viruses that most
commonly cause pneumonia in the
community are different from those in
healthcare settings. However, clinicians are not always able to
find out which germ caused someone to get sick with
pneumonia.

Risk factors
Pneumonia can affect anyone. But the two groups at high risk
are:
▪ Children 2 years or older
▪ Individuals 65 years of age or older
Other risk factors include:
▪ Admission to hospital: A person is at increased risk of
pneumonia if they are in the intensive care unit of a
hospital, especially if they are connected to a machine to
help them breathe (ventilator).
▪ Chronic disease: A person is more likely to develop
pneumonia if they have asthma, chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD) or heart disease.
▪ Smoking: Smoking destroys the body's natural defenses
against bacteria and viruses that cause pneumonia.
▪ Weakened or suppressed immune system: Patients with
HIV/AIDS, who have had an organ transplant or who are
receiving chemotherapy or long-term steroids, are also
at risk of developing the disease.

Sign & symptoms

Symptoms of pneumonia :-
▪ difficulty breathing
▪ Cough
▪ rapid heartbeat
▪ high temperature
▪ feeling generally unwell
▪ sweating and shivering
▪ loss of appetite
▪ chest pain
 ▪ coughing up blood (haemoptysis)
▪ headaches
▪ fatigue
▪ feeling sick or being sick
▪ wheezing
▪ joint and muscle pain

Complication
complications of pneumonia

▪ Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This is a

severe form of respiratory
failure.
▪ Lung abscesses. These are
pockets of pus that form
insideor around the lung. ...
▪ Respiratory failure. This
requires the use of a breathingmachine or ventilator.
▪ Sepsis.
 Types
The main types of pneumonia are:
1-Bacterial pneumonia: The poor general health person,
physical inactive, older people and alcohol or cocaine abused
are more susceptible to infectious bacterial pneumonia.
2-Viral pneumonia: Influenza viruses types, Incidence greatest
in winter months, most common in children. Antibiotic are
ineffective but are often used to treat
secondary infection. Viral pneumonia
is rarely fetal but leaves the client in a
weakened condition.
3-Fungal pneumonia: Incidence
greatest in immunocompromised
patients. Mortality rate 15%to 20%.
4-Aspiration pneumonia: More common with unconscious
patient, patient with NGT feeding, patient under anesthesia.
Occurs due to inhale vomits or a foreign object or substances
such as water, or mucus. This aspiration not causes the
infectious process but can cause additional edema and
complications because of the acidity of the gastric contents.
5-Community acquired pneumonia:
Occurs in community setting, Highest occurrence in winter
months.Incidence greatest in the elderly and inpatients with
COPD, heart failure, alcoholism
,following influenza.
6-Chemical pneumonia:
Associated with aspiration of a
chemical substance into the lung.
7-Hospital acquired pneumonia:
Occurs within 48 hours of
hospitalization.
8-Pneumonia in the immunocompromised host:Occurs in
patients with any disorder in the immune system.
Types according to areas involved:
1-Lobar pneumonia: Pneumonia occurs in one or more lobes
of the lung.
2-Bronchopneumonia: Pneumonia occurs in one or more
localized area in the bronchi and extending to lung
parenchyma (more common than lobar pneumonia).
 Prevention
Prevention of pneumonia
▪ Get a pneumonia vaccine
➢ that reduces, but doesn’t eliminate, your risk of getting
pneumonia.
▪ Wash your hands
➢ that is the best way to avoid transferring these organisms
into your respiratory system.
▪ Avoid exposure to people who are ill
➢ Avoiding contact with people that you know are sick is
an important step in preventing respiratory infections
and possible pneumonia.
➢ If you’re in a crowded area or can’t avoid being near
people who are sick, be sure to:
➢ wash your hands frequently
➢ cover your mouth and nose with a mask to
prevent fluTrusted Source, cold, and COVID-19Trusted
Source
➢ encourage others to cover their cough or sneeze.
▪ Adopt healthy habits
➢ The following actions can help you strengthen your lungs
and your immune system:
➢ getting enough rest
➢ eating a balanced diet
➢ exercising regularly
➢ avoiding smoking
 ➢ reducing your exposure to harmful chemicals or pollution
➢ staying up-to-date on your vaccinations.
▪ Avoiding postoperative pneumonia
If you’ve recently had surgery, talk with your doctor about
what you can do to avoid postoperative pneumonia. They
may suggest:
➢ deep breathing and coughing exercises
➢ keeping your hands clean
➢ keeping your head elevated
➢ oral hygiene, which includes an antiseptic such as
chlorhexidine
➢ sitting as much as possible, and walking as soon as you’re
able

Treatment
Pneumonia in two lungs is treated the same way as it is in one
lung.
The treatment plan will depend
on the cause and severity of the
infection, and your age and
general health. Your treatment
may include over-the-counter
drugs to relieve pain and fever.
These could include:
➢ aspirin
➢ ibuprofen (Advil and Motrin)
 ➢ acetaminophen (Tylenol)
➢ Your doctor may also suggest a cough medicine to help
manage your cough so that you
can rest. According to Mayo Clinic,
coughing helps move fluid from
your lungs, so you don’t want to
eliminate it entirely.
➢ You can help yourself have a smoother recovery. Take
your prescribed medication, rest, drink plenty of fluids,
and don’t push yourself to get back to your regular
activities too soon.

Specific treatments for different types of pneumonia include:

Viral pneumonia

➢ Viral pneumonia can be treated with anti-viral drugs and

medication aimed at easing your symptoms. Antibiotics
are not effective in treating viruses.
➢ Most cases can be treated at home. But people with a
chronic health condition or older adults may need
hospitalization.
Bacterial pneumonia

➢ Bacterial pneumonia is treated with antibiotics. The

particular antibiotic will depend on the type of bacteria
causing the pneumonia.
➢ Most cases can be treated at home, but some will require
a hospital stay. Young children, older adults, and people
with suppressed immune systems may need to be
hospitalized and treated with intravenous (IV) antibiotics.
They may also need assistance with breathing.

Mycoplasma pneumonia

➢ is a type of bacterial pneumonia. It’s generally mild and

often affects both lungs. Since it’s bacterial, it’s treated
with antibiotics.
 Nursing care plan
Nursing Expected Nursing Evaluation
diagnosis outcome intervention
Ineffective The patient - Assess patient The goal is
condition
breathing will : - Assess color ,
met
patterns - Respiratory rate ,
( Dyspnea) demonstrate depth, effort ,rhythm
Related to : an effective and breath sounds
every 4 hours .
pneumonia respiratory - Auscultate breathing
-As evidenced rate , depth . sound at least every 4
by : - color pink hours
- place patient in
Hypoxia - absence of omfortable position
Changes in cyanosis ( setting position ) to
respiratory - Absence of allow for chest
and pulse rate diminished expansion
- encourage deep
breathlessness breath breathing exercise
Intense sounds - ensure humidified
tightening in (Within 10 oxygen support
- monitor oxygen
the chest minutes ) saturation through
oximeter
- take note of ABG
results
- Suction secretions as
necessary
- educate patient of
stress management ,
deep breathing exercise
and relaxation
techniques
- administer medication
as doctor order
 Nursing care plan
Nursing Expected Nursing Evaluation
diagnosis outcome intervention
○ elevation maintain -Assess patient The goal is
body normal body condition met
temperature temperature -Assess temperature
more than within 15 every 10 hours
normal minutes - Assess possible
(hypothermia) etiology of increased
○ Related to temperature.
pneumonia - Encourage fluids
○ As evidenced when indicate
by : - Remove excess
- flushed skin clothing or blankets
-warm to touch -provide cold
-increased compress
respiratory rate -provide air
-techycardia conditioning or fan of
-weakness available
- administer
antipyretics as doctor
order