Ask a Nurse: Understanding Pneumonia

Introduction

• Presenter: Cathy from Level Up RN
• Topic: Pneumonia
  • What is pneumonia?
  • Signs and symptoms
  • Diagnosis and treatment

What is Pneumonia?

• Infection of the lungs
• Causes alveoli (air sacs) to become inflamed and filled with fluid/pus
• Common causes: bacterial, viral, or fungal infections

Signs and Symptoms

• General symptoms:
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest pain
  • Cough
• Older adults:
  • Sudden onset of confusion
  • Possible infection or electrolyte imbalance
• Babies:
  • Grunting
  • Nasal flaring
  • Rapid breathing
  • Cyanosis (blue discoloration of skin and lips)

Diagnosis

• Review medical history and symptoms
• Lung examination
• Oxygen level check using pulse oximeter
• Blood tests:
  • Increased white blood cells indicating infection
• Chest X-ray
• Severe cases:
  • Arterial blood gas test
  • Sputum test to identify microbe causing pneumonia

Treatment

• Bacterial pneumonia:
  • Antibiotics prescribed
  • Importance of completing the full course
• Viral pneumonia:
  • Typically resolves on its own
  • Recommendations:
    • Rest
    • Increased fluid intake
    • Humidifier use
    • Tylenol or ibuprofen for fever/pain
    • Possible antiviral agent
• Fungal pneumonia:
  • Antifungal agent prescribed

Severe Pneumonia

• May require hospital treatment:
  • Oxygen therapy
  • Respiratory therapy
  • Breathing treatments
  • IV fluids and antibiotics
  • Possible use of ventilator
• Use of incentive spirometer:
  • Helps with deep breathing
  • Opens airways and loosens secretions

Recovery Advice

• Drink plenty of fluids
• Sit upright to aid breathing
• Take deep breaths and cough frequently
• Prevent infection spread:
  • Cover mouth/nose when coughing/sneezing
  • Wash hands often
• Recovery duration:
  • Can take weeks
  • Fatigue may last about a month
  • Importance of self-care

Conclusion

• Encourage feedback and questions for future episodes
• Emphasize staying informed and healthy