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Pulmonary aspiration is the entry of solid or liquid material such as pharyngeal secretions, food, drink, or stomach contents from the oropharynx or gastrointestinal tract, into the trachea and lungs. [1] When pulmonary aspiration occurs during eating and drinking, the aspirated material is often colloquially referred to as "going down the ...
Signs and symptoms of aspiration pneumonia may develop gradually, with increased respiratory rate, foul-smelling sputum, hemoptysis, and fever. Complications may occur, such as exudative pleural effusion, empyema, and lung abscesses. [4] If left untreated, aspiration pneumonia can progress to form a lung abscess. [5]
Basic airway management is a concept and set of medical procedures performed to prevent and treat airway obstruction and allow for adequate ventilation to a patient's lungs. [1] This is accomplished by clearing or preventing obstructions of airways. Airway obstructions can occur in both conscious and unconscious individuals.
Further lung damage occurs when the immune system responds to the infection. White blood cells, particularly lymphocytes, activate chemicals known as cytokines which cause fluid to leak into the alveoli. The combination of cell destruction and fluid-filled alveoli interrupts the transportation of oxygen into the bloodstream.
The following tests help determine how severely the lungs are affected: Blood gases (measurement of how much oxygen and carbon dioxide are in your blood) CT scan of chest; Lung function studies (tests to measure breathing and how well the lungs are functioning) X-ray of the chest; Swallowing studies to check if stomach acid is the cause of ...
The Mayo Clinic recommends the same placement of fist and hand, with upward thrusts as if the rescuer is attempting to lift the victim. [ 2 ] If the victim cannot receive pressure on the abdomen (for example, in case of pregnancy or excessive obesity), chest thrusts are advised. [ 19 ]
Increased respiratory rate may be the only sign of foreign body aspiration in a child who cannot verbalize or report if they have swallowed a foreign body. [6] If the foreign body does not cause a large degree of obstruction, patients may present with chronic cough, asymmetrical breath sounds on exam, or recurrent pneumonia of a specific lung ...
Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a type of lung infection that occurs in people who are on mechanical ventilation breathing machines in hospitals. As such, VAP typically affects critically ill persons that are in an intensive care unit (ICU) and have been on a mechanical ventilator for at least 48 hours.