Pneumonia: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

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Questions and Answers

How does the pathogenesis of pneumonia typically occur?

Pneumonia occurs when microorganisms contaminate the distal airways and alveoli, overwhelming the body's defense mechanisms. It can often start as an upper respiratory tract infection that progresses to a lower respiratory tract infection.

What pathological changes can pneumonia cause in the lungs?

Pneumonia causes an infectious inflammatory reaction in the lung parenchyma (the functional tissues of the lungs) and small airways. This can lead to congestion, consolidation (filling of air spaces with fluid/pus), and abscess formation.

Which of the following are key pathophysiological effects of pneumonia?

  • Improved gas exchange
  • Decreased airway resistance
  • Increased lung compliance and volumes
  • V/Q mismatch and decreased lung compliance (correct)

List four common signs and symptoms of pneumonia.

<p>Common signs and symptoms include hypoxemia (low blood oxygen), leukocytosis (increased white blood cell count), crackles/bronchial breath sounds on auscultation, pleuritic chest pain (sharp pain during inspiration), and dyspnea (shortness of breath).</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which diagnostic tests are commonly used to confirm pneumonia?

<p>CBC, Sputum Culture &amp; Sensitivity, CXR/CT scan (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why should BiPAP generally be avoided in the treatment of pneumonia according to the provided text?

<p>BiPAP (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure) should generally be avoided because the positive pressure can potentially push the infectious material deeper into the lungs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the typical IV antibiotic treatments for Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP)?

<p>Typical IV treatments include Ceftriaxone, Cefotaxime, or Cefuroxime. If MRSA is suspected, Vancomycin is added. For atypical organisms, doxycycline or azithromycin is added.</p> Signup and view all the answers

List common IV antibiotic treatments for Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia (HAP) and Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP).

<p>Common IV treatments include Ceftriaxone, Cefotaxime, Cefuroxime, Vancomycin (if MRSA is suspected), Piperacillin/tazobactam (Piptazo), and Meropenem.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What causes aspiration pneumonitis, and how does the pH of the aspirated material affect the injury?

<p>Aspiration pneumonitis is an inflammation injury caused by the inhalation of gastric contents into the lungs. A lower pH (more acidic) of the gastric contents causes more severe damage due to chemical inflammation, edema, and hemorrhage.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which set of symptoms is characteristic of Atypical ('Walking') Pneumonia?

<p>Mild fever, dry cough, myalgia (muscle pain) (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name two common bacterial causes of atypical pneumonia.

<p>Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Legionella pneumophila.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Viral pneumonia typically has a sudden onset and produces abundant purulent sputum.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which diagnostic method for viral pneumonia generally offers the highest sensitivity and specificity?

<p>PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Fungal pneumonia is a common cause of what type of lung lesion?

<p>Infectious granulomas.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia typically treated, and what special precautions are needed during administration?

<p>It is typically treated with pentamidine, which should be administered via a nebulizer in a negative pressure room.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which clinical features are typical of Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumonia?

<p>High fever, blood-streaked sputum, pleuritic chest pain (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where is Staphylococcus aureus commonly found, and what types of severe infections can it cause related to pneumonia?

<p>Staphylococcus aureus is a common inhabitant of the skin and mucous membranes (especially the upper respiratory tract) and acts as an opportunistic bacterium. It can cause severe pyogenic (fever-inducing) infections in the skin or lungs, including lung abscesses and empyema (infection in the pleural space).</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristic sputum and chest X-ray findings in Klebsiella pneumoniae pneumonia?

<p>The sputum is typically thick and bloody (often described as 'currant jelly'), and the chest X-ray often shows lobar consolidation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is characteristic about the sputum in Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia?

<p>The sputum is often green and may have a characteristic 'sweet', foul smell.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Pathologically, pneumonia involves an infectious inflammatory reaction in the _____ _____ and small airways.

<p>lung parenchyma</p> Signup and view all the answers

A ventilation/perfusion _____ is a key pathophysiological consequence of pneumonia, impairing gas exchange.

<p>mismatch</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Pneumonia Pathogenesis

Contamination of distal airways and alveoli by microorganisms, potentially leading to lower respiratory tract infection.

Pneumonia Pathology

Infectious inflammatory reaction in the lung parenchyma (tissues) and small airways, potentially causing congestion, consolidation, and abscess.

Pneumonia Pathophysiology

V/Q mismatch, decreased lung compliance, and decreased lung volumes.

Pneumonia Signs & Symptoms

Hypoxemia, leukocytosis, crackles/bronchial breath sounds, pleuritic chest pain, and dyspnea.

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Pneumonia Diagnosis

CBC, sputum culture and sensitivity, and CXR/CT scan.

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Pneumonia Treatment

Antibiotics, bronchial hygiene, and oxygen/mechanical ventilation (avoid BiPAP).

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Aspiration Pneumonitis

An inflammation injury caused by inhalation of gastric contents, and lower pH increases damage.

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Atypical Pneumonia Presentation

Mild fever, dry cough, and myalgia.

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Viral Pneumonia

Gradual onset and lack of purulent sputum are suggestive of it.

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Fungal Pneumonia

Common cause of infectious granulomas treated with pentamidine for Pneumocystis jiroveci.

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Streptococcus Pneumoniae

Inhabitant of oropharynx & nasopharynx; presentation is high fever with blood streaked sputum.

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Staphylococcus Aureus

Inhabitant of skin and mucous membranes; can cause severe pyogenic infection, abscesses and empyema.

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Klebsiella Pneumoniae

Thick, bloody sputum and lobar CXR.

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Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

Sputum is green and has a 'sweet' foul odor.

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Study Notes

  • Pneumonia involves microorganisms overwhelming defenses and contaminating distal airways and alveoli.
  • Can start as an upper respiratory tract infection, turning into a lower respiratory infection.
  • Pathology involves an infectious inflammatory reaction in the lung parenchyma and small airways.
  • Pathology can cause congestion, consolidation, and abscesses.
  • Pathophysiology involves V/Q mismatch, decreased lung compliance and decreased lung volumes.
  • Signs & Symptoms: Hypoxemia and Leukocytosis (increased WBC).
  • Other signs involve crackles/bronchial breath sounds, Pleuritic chest pain during inspiration and Dyspnea.
  • Diagnosis: Complete Blood Count (CBC), Sputum Culture and Sensitivity (C+S), and Chest X-Ray/CT scan (CXR).
  • Treatment: Antibiotics, Bronchial hygiene, and Oxygen/mechanical ventilation.
  • Do not use BiPAP, because that will push everything deeper.

Community Acquired Pneumonia treatment

  • Ceftriaxone IV
  • Cefotaxime IV
  • Cefuroxime IV
  • Vancomycin (if Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA))
  • Add doxycycline or azithromycin for atypical organisms.

Hospital acquired pneumonia & ventilator associated pneumonia treatment

  • Ceftriaxone IV
  • Cefotaxime IV
  • Cefuroxime IV
  • Vancomycin (if MRSA)
  • Piperacillin/tazobactam (piptazo)
  • Meropenem

Aspiration Pneumonitis

  • A subtype, which involves inflammation injury caused by inhalation of gastric contents.
  • Lower pH results in more damage secondary to inflammation, edema, and hemorrhage.

Atypical Pneumonia (walking pneumonia)

  • Types include Mycoplasma and Legionella.
  • Presentation involves mild fever, dry cough, and myalgia (muscle pain).

Viral Pneumonia

  • Suggestive of gradual onset with a lack of purulent sputum.
  • Diagnosis: Viral cultures (longer to get results), Antigen testing, and PCR with higher sensitivity & specificity.
  • Treatment includes Ribavirin, Acyclovir, and Vaccine.

Fungal Pneumonia

  • A common cause of infectious granulomas.
  • Types include: Pneumocystis pneumonia and Pneumocystis jiroveci, which is treated with pentamidine (administered through nebulizer in negative pressure room).

Gram Positive Subtypes

  • Streptococcus pneumoniae inhabits the oropharynx & nasopharynx.
  • Presents with high fever, blood-streaked sputum, and pleuritic chest pain.
  • ​Staphylococcus aureus inhabits skin & mucous membrane in the upper respiratory tract.
  • Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic bacteria.
  • Includes: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA).
  • Can cause severe pyogenic (inducing fever) infection (skin or lungs).
  • Can also cause abscesses and empyema (infection in the pleural space).

Gram Negative Subtypes

  • Klebsiella pneumoniae inhabits the intestines.
  • Sputum: Thick bloody.
  • Chest X-Ray: lobar.
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa is found in the environment (ex. water, soil & plants).
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa is opportunistic.
  • Risk factors include wounds/burns.
  • Sputum is green and "sweet" smelling.

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