Nursing Significance

The main intervention for nurses when it

comes to pneumonia is patient
education. It is important to teach the
patient not only the disease process of
pneumonia but also what to expect as
far as signs and symptoms, such as
making sure they understand that
coughing up the mucous is helpful for
the healing process and to make sure
and not swallow down the phlegm.
Another nursing intervention is being
aware of how the flu affects the rates of
incidence of pneumonia. When the flu
season is more severe and more people
are affected with severe flu symptoms,
the risk for pneumonia is also
heightened so watching flu patients for
Nclex
questions
pneumonia
symptoms is important.
Pneumonia affect the
Right lung
Left lung
Both lungs
All of the above

Who is at most risk for pneumonia?

Risk for decreased respiratory function r/t

fluid buildup in lungs and weakened
ventilation as evidenced by chest pain with
deep breathing and excessive mucous
production.
Interventions: watch electrolyte levels,
moniter CBC, teach deep breathing
techniques.
Outcomes: Pt will breathe easier and
understand
importance
up
Risk for fluidthe
volume
deficit of
r/tcoughing
inadequate
mucous
clear and
lungs
and as
increase
oral fluidtointake
fever
evidenced by
respiratory
dry mucosafunction.
in mouth, inadequate urine
output and pt verbalization of thirst.
Interventions: moniter I&O, urinary output,
preform oral care, encourage intake of fluids.
Outcomes: patient will achieve adequate
fluid volume and understand the importance
of keeping fluid levels high.
Risk for ineffective gas exchange r/t
changes in alveoli as evidenced by
decreased respiratory status. low oxygen
and carbon dioxide levels and pt complains
of difficulty breathing.
Interventions: moniter respiratory status
and mental state of pt, keep pt in fowlers
or semi-fowlers position, moniter CBCs and
ABGs.
Outcomes: patient will show improved
ventilation and optimal gas exchange.
Sources:
Pneumonia. (n.d.). In American Lung Association.

5 year old child

20 year old with AIDS
60 year old woman
newborn baby

Answers: D, B

Retrieved March 27, 2015, from

http://www.lung.org/lung-disease/pneumonia/
Staff, M. (n.d.). Pneumonia Definition, Disease and
Condition. In Mayo Clinic. Retrieved March 26,
2015, from
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pneu
monia/basics/definition/con-20020032

PNE
UM
ONI
A

What you should

know...

What is
it?

Who gets
it?
Pneumonia
can affect anyone

Pneumonia is a lung disease

at any time, but certain types of

people are at a higher risk for a
more severe case of the
infection.

characterized by a constant
cough with mucous production,
fever, and difficulty breathing.
Pneumonia can affect one or
both of your lungs and can
range from mild to severe.
Pneumonia can be caused by a
virus or fungi but the most
common and most dangerous
forms are caused by a bacteria.

Pneumonia begins when a

bacteria or microorganism is
inhaled into your lungs and is
not not fought off successfully
by your immune system. The
bacteria cause air sacs in the
lungs that can fill with fluid or
pus, which is what causes the
phlegm or mucous produced
with the cough.

Children younger than 1 year

and adults older than 65 years
of age- due to weakened
immune system and body
function.

What it
does causes a
Pneumonia
painful and irritating cough
that will produce mucous or
phlegm that is often tinted
green or appears rusty.
It also causes a fever,
especially in infected children
which is usually accompanied
with shaking chills.

Pneumonia also causes

fatigue and weakness.

It also involves chest pain

that worsens when cough is
present or when deep
breathing is attempted.

Patients who are already

hospitalized or infected with
another disease such as COPD,
heart problems or other
pulmonary issues have an
increased risk of acquiring
pneumonia.
Patients who suffer from severe
asthma are at a heightened risk
for pneumonia.
Smoking- cigarette smoke is the
leading cause of pneumonia in
healthy, young people.