Pneumonia: Causes, Pathophysiology, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Nursing
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Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a disease which affects the lung and usually portrayed by the airspaces (alveoli) in
the lungs being inflamed, mostly as a result of infection. Causes of pneumonia include infections
caused by viruses, bacteria or fungi. It is a more serious disease especially when in infects young
children and infants or the elderly since there immune system is weak. Those with weakened
immunity for example, those suffering from HIV/AIDS also get affected much when they get
infected with pneumonia. Pneumonia can be classified as Hospital-acquired pneumonia,
community-acquired pneumonia and aspiration pneumonia. Hospital-acquired pneumonia
develops when a person is already in the hospital premises whereas community-acquired is
acquired outside the healthcare environment. Aspiration pneumonia on the other hand is as a
result of food, drink, vomit or saliva inhalation when the swallowing reflex is ineffective.
Pneumonia may also be classified according to the causative agent, for example bacterial
pneumonia or viral pneumonia. Most types of pneumonia are contagious and may easily spread
from one person to another through inhalation of droplets from sneeze or even cough (La Rosa,
Fratini, Libera, Iaconelli,. and Muscillo, 2013 pp. 124-132).
Pathophysiology of Pneumonia
When an organism such as bacteria, fungi or virus reaches the lungs they trigger an immune
response (Singh 2012, pp. 7-9). This makes the neutrophils to engulf the invading pathogen and
cytokines are released. This leads to inflammatory reactions. The lungs become hyperaemic.
Fluid shifts from the intravascular spaces into the alveoli and lung tissue since the capillaries
become highly permeable. This results to impairment of ventilation as the gaseous exchange
space become less. Congestion of the lungs therefore ensues due to the fluid shifting. The lungs
appear hard and red. This is shown by the large amount of confluent exudates by red blood cells,

fibrin and neutrophils which fills the alveolar space. The hyperemia then reduces however the
lungs is still hard. It becomes gray in appearance since the red blood cells becomes disintegrated
continuously and the fibrin suppurative exudates persist. This is attained by the reduction of
blood to the lungs and the fibrin and leukocyte consolidate in the part that is affected (Driver
2012, pp. 103-106). This is followed by the resolution of the infection whereby the pulmonary
structure is restored. The exudates that are consolidated in the lungs are digested enzymatically
and the macrophage ingest most debris which are coughed out thereafter. The lungs can then
return normal and gaseous exchange resume if complete resolution occur.
Signs and symptoms of pneumonia
The clinical manifestation of pneumonia ranges from mild to severe. This is dictated by factors
like age, health or the type of causative pathogen. The signs and symptoms of pneumonia may
include: chest pain which is felt when one coughs or breathe, coughing which may be productive
(mucus), fever and chills is also experienced and fatigue. One may also experience nausea,
vomiting and diarrhea. Shortness of breath is also usually manifested. The patient mental status
may also change and the patient become confused.
Significance of Mr. Smith’s Vital signs in relation to the presenting problem
Mr. respiratory rate is 36 breaths per minute which is high above the normal range of 12 to 20
breathes per minute in adult. This is significant in relation to his presenting condition since
pneumonia causes lung congestion thus interfering with the normal gaseous exchange. Oxygen is
therefore not supplied sufficiently to the body and as a result its demand increases. The body
therefore tries to increase the oxygen supply by increasing the respiratory rate. The patient
therefore breaths faster making it even difficult for him to talk normally. The temperature is