Pneumonia is caused by an inflammatory response to an organism such as streptococcus pneumoniae or escherichia coli. This inflammation occurs in the alveolar sacs and the alveoli are filled with fluid, neutrophils, and there is also an increase in mucus production.The inflammation of the alveolar sacs leads to a decrease in gas exchange which leads to hypoxia (Lewis, 2014).
There are several types of pneumonia and they include: community-acquired, medical care-associated, aspiration, and opportunistic. Community-acquired pneumonia is an acute infection in the lungs that occurs in patients who have not been hospitalized or in a long-term care facility within 14-days since the onset of symptoms (Lewis, 2014). Medical care-associated pneumonia includes hospital acquired pneumonia, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and healthcare-associated pneumonia. All of these elements encompass the different types of pneumonias that occur in the health setting (Lewis, 2014). Aspiration pneumonia is also included and it occurs when there is abnormal entry of materials into the trachea and lungs. Lastly, opportunistic pneumonia occurs in patients who have an altered immune system such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (Lewis, 2014).
With the diagnosis of pneumonia there are several …show more content…
Acute respiratory failure is one of the leading causing of death in Pneumonia. The lungs lose their ability to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide. Pneumothorax (collapsed lung) can also occur with pneumonia. This occurs as result of an accumulation of air in the pleural space (Lewis, 2014). Pleurisy (inflammation of the pleura), pleural effusion (fluid in the pleural space), and atelectasis (collapsed, airless alveoli) are also other complications. One the last major complications is sepsis: when the infection in the lungs enters the bloodstream. This can lead to the failure or several other organ and can be fatal (Lewis
There are several types of pneumonia and they include: community-acquired, medical care-associated, aspiration, and opportunistic. Community-acquired pneumonia is an acute infection in the lungs that occurs in patients who have not been hospitalized or in a long-term care facility within 14-days since the onset of symptoms (Lewis, 2014). Medical care-associated pneumonia includes hospital acquired pneumonia, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and healthcare-associated pneumonia. All of these elements encompass the different types of pneumonias that occur in the health setting (Lewis, 2014). Aspiration pneumonia is also included and it occurs when there is abnormal entry of materials into the trachea and lungs. Lastly, opportunistic pneumonia occurs in patients who have an altered immune system such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (Lewis, 2014).
With the diagnosis of pneumonia there are several …show more content…
Acute respiratory failure is one of the leading causing of death in Pneumonia. The lungs lose their ability to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide. Pneumothorax (collapsed lung) can also occur with pneumonia. This occurs as result of an accumulation of air in the pleural space (Lewis, 2014). Pleurisy (inflammation of the pleura), pleural effusion (fluid in the pleural space), and atelectasis (collapsed, airless alveoli) are also other complications. One the last major complications is sepsis: when the infection in the lungs enters the bloodstream. This can lead to the failure or several other organ and can be fatal (Lewis