Expectations
- Length: A minimum of 180 words per post, not including references
- Citations: At least two high-level scholarly reference in APA per post from within the last 5 years
- relate to another journal reading
Pneumonia is an infection and inflammation of the lung which can be caused by bacteria or a virus (Cash, et al., 2021). An individual can also have concurrent viral and bacterial pneumonia (Cash, et al., 2021). Developing a treatment plan for pneumonia depends on several different factors including age, past medical history, social factors, and severity of symptoms (Cash, et al., 2021). Pneumonia is more prevalent in those who are immunocompromised such as the elderly and young children, but healthy adults may contract pneumonia as well (Cash, et al., 2021). If viral pneumonia is suspected, treatment for a young, typically healthy adult would include symptom management such as rest, drinking plenty of fluids, and over the counter fever reducers (Cash, et al., 2021). However, if an older adult or young child presented with viral pneumonia, an antiviral should be considered (Cash, et al., 2021).
Bacterial pneumonia or concurrent bacterial and viral pneumonia requires antibiotic treatment (Cash, et al., 2021). However, the type of antibiotics ordered depends largely on the patient and their risk factors. For example, a healthy 23-year-old adult may be prescribed a macrolide such as Azithromycin, but older adults are at a greater risk of adverse effects of macrolides and should be treated with an alternative such as doxycycline (Malek & Granwehr, 2021).
The CURB-65 Severity Score is a tool that can be used to determine whether or not the patient should be hospitalized (Cash, et al., 2021). The tool assesses mental status, BUN, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and age and calculates a score which helps providers know when inpatient treatment is necessary (Cash, et al., 2021).
References
Cash, J. C., Glass, C. A., &, Mullen, J. (2021). Family practice guidelines. Springer
Publishing Company. ISBN: 9780826135834
Malek, A. E., & Granwehr, B. P. (2021). Doxycycline as an Alternative to Azithromycin in
Elderly Patients. International journal of antimicrobial agents, 57(1), 106168.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2020.106168
