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Pneumonia believed to be due to bacteria is treated with antibiotics. [11] If the pneumonia is severe, the affected person is generally hospitalised. [19] Oxygen therapy may be used if oxygen levels are low. [11] Each year, pneumonia affects about 450 million people globally (7% of the population) and results in about 4 million deaths.
Chronic inflammation of the lungs is a key feature in aspiration pneumonia in elderly nursing home residents and presents as a sporadic fever (one day per week for several months). Radiological review shows chronic inflammation in the consolidated lung tissue, linking chronic micro-aspiration and chronic lung inflammation.
In some cases, chest CT can reveal pneumonia not seen on x-rays. However, congestive heart failure or other types of lung damage can mimic CAP on x-ray. [15] When signs of pneumonia are discovered during evaluation, chest X-rays and examination of the blood and sputum for infectious microorganisms may be done to support a diagnosis of CAP.
Necrotizing pneumonia (NP), also known as cavitary pneumonia or cavitatory necrosis, is a rare but severe complication of lung parenchymal infection. [ 5 ] [ 6 ] [ 7 ] In necrotizing pneumonia, there is a substantial liquefaction following death of the lung tissue, which may lead to gangrene formation in the lung.
Walking pneumonia, a less severe form of pneumonia, is primarily caused by mycoplasma pneumoniae. The bacteria can damage the lining of the respiratory tract, including the throat, windpipe and lungs.
[13] [15] Pneumonia is also the leading cause of death in children less than five years of age in low income countries. [15] The most common cause of pneumonia is pneumococcal bacteria, Streptococcus pneumoniae accounts for 2/3 of bacteremic pneumonias. [16] Invasive pneumococcal pneumonia has a mortality rate of around 20%. [14]
Chest X-rays can be useful in the diagnosis of aspiration pneumonia but may be negative early in the course. [11] Chest CT Scan can identify the presence of a pneumonia as well, and can also assist in characterizing abscesses, foreign objects, or pleural disease. Aspiration seen on barium swallow study.
A nursing diagnosis may be part of the nursing process and is a clinical judgment about individual, family, or community experiences/responses to actual or potential health problems/life processes. Nursing diagnoses foster the nurse's independent practice (e.g., patient comfort or relief) compared to dependent interventions driven by physician ...