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Case Study: Pneumonia

   

Added on  2023-01-04

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Running head: CASE STUDY: PNEUMONIA 0
CASE STUDY: PNEUMONIA
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Case Study: Pneumonia
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Case Study: Pneumonia_1

CASE STUDY: PNEUMONIA 1
Case Study: Pneumonia
Pneumonia is termed as a possibly fatal inflammation and infection of the lower
respiratory tract that is often caused by the inhaled viruses and bacteria that contain both
elements of (Streptococcus pneumonia). This type of infection is regularly featured with
shortness of breath, high fever, sharp chest pain, rapid breathing, and productive cough that is
accompanied by thick phlegm (Marchello et al., 2016, 552-556). Pneumonia can be
categorized into two; thus pneumonia that develops outside the hospital environments which
is known as community-acquired pneumonia. On the other hand, pneumonia that emerges
after admission to the hospital or 48 hours later is referred to as hospital-acquired pneumonia
or nosocomial. The focus of the study is affiliated with Mrs. Xyz who has been diagnosed on
the ICU with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) (Sharma et al., 2017, 49). This paper
will begin by the outline of her condition that comprises of a summary of her symptoms and
the assessment of the pertinent history of her situation. Moreover, it will demonstrate the
affiliation amid physiology, anatomy and the pathophysiological elements that are linked to
CAP for proper diagnosis on the affected patient since it is vital health concern (Troy et al.,
2016, 1005).
The hospitalization of elderly patients with CAP has been a considerable burden to the
Australian community since it is a critical condition that requires immediate health care
attention (Almatar et al., 2015, 259- 266). According to Mrs. Xyz she became vulnerable to
the infection because of underlying COPD and her old age. Confusion and fatigue are the
symptoms that are often presented from elderly patients like Mrs. Xyz. Fever symptoms that
are usually evident in pneumonia were not identified in her; thus it replicates an inadequate
immune response due to her age and the infection. She signified frequent and severe
complications related to pneumonia. A fall in the blood pressure or shock was resulted due to
the overwhelming reaction due to the sepsis-like picture. Respiratory failure and sepsis are
Case Study: Pneumonia_2

CASE STUDY: PNEUMONIA 2
the core impacts of death amid the pneumonia patients (Saukkoriipi et al., 2016, 552-556).
The other common complications that are evident constitute of the low oxygen levels and
fluid collection around the lungs.
CAP is a potentially severe and frequent infection that is affiliated with mortality and
morbidity (Grosso, Famiglietti, and Luna, 2015, 117). Etiology microorganisms are often
identified in the majority of the pneumonia cases. Therefore, the majority of the bacteria can
lead to pneumonia, and the infection of the lungs may lead to primary and secondary
infections (Musher et al., 2013, 11-13). The most common cause is the Streptococcus
pneumonia, and this chronic infection often affects the elderly people due to their weak
immune system (Bhuiyan et al., 2018, 14). Bacteria may not be available due to the
administration of antibiotics that suppresses their growth or at the moment when the blood
cultures are drawn. This trend is common among pneumonia patients.
A 75 -year old woman who will be referred to as Mrs. Xyz complained of shortness of
breath accompanied with fatigue and white grey sputum due to her past smoking history that
is affiliated with the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) (Vliegenthart, 2018,
19). During her arrival time to the hospital, she had no chest pain or fever. In addition, she
was admitted to the ICU to examine her condition. It was found that she had low blood
oxygen levels, low blood pressure, elevated white blood cells count and anew shadow on the
chest x-ray image on her right lung. This sign and symptoms led to the confirmation that she
was diagnosed with pneumonia. This led to her admission with the diagnosis of sepsis and
community-acquired pneumonia. Sepsis is termed as an infection that has spread throughout
the entire body via the bloodstream.
According to Mrs Xyz case study, we find out that it is essential to investigate the history
of the patients diagnosed with pneumonia. Therefore physical examination and combination
of Mrs. Xyz history are beneficial since it aided to diagnose her pneumonic condition. The
Case Study: Pneumonia_3

CASE STUDY: PNEUMONIA 3
specialist found it challenging to determine the symptoms in Mrs. Xyz because they were not
visible. The elderly people at times may be infected with pneumonia without the symptoms
like the fever, cough and breathless showing up (Menzies, Jardine, and McIntyre, 2015, p.927
-933).
As per Mrs Xyz, she was treated with intravenous fluids, antibiotics, blood pressure
support mechanism, and oxygen via a face mask. Despite her condition improving she
underwent computed tomography (CT) scan that displayed an extensive collection of fluid on
her right lung. The appropriate medical procedure that was conducted in regards to that
situation was by the use of the two needle drainage procedure. The method was beneficial
because it led to the improvement of her oxygen requirement and the shortness of breath.
After two weeks, she completed her diagnosis and had to depart from the hospital. Mrs. Xyz
left the hospital setting without any bacteria identification in cultures of her blood, sputum or
the fluid around the lungs.
In regards to Mrs Xyz case study analysis it is evident that there is no efficient prevention
mechanism of pneumonia. However, numerous strategies can be established to mitigate the
impact of the condition (Waterer and Bennett, 2015, 219). These measures constitute to avoid
smoking; dental hygiene and adequate nutrition are factors that are associated with a healthy
lifestyle; hence it will reduce the chances of an individual being affected with pneumonia
(World Health Organization, 2016, 98).
Chest x- ray is regarded as the most appropriate test that is utilized in diagnosing
pneumonia and it significant for it to be performed to all the patients that have been supposed
to be having pneumonia. Thus an x-ray was conducted on Mrs. Xyz lungs and findings
constitutes of the interstitial infiltrates and patchy alveolar. Therefore CT is not the initial
step recommended being performed for a suspected pneumonic patient.
Case Study: Pneumonia_4

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