Review of Pneumonia and its Management

Vocabulary flashcards covering essential terms and definitions related to pneumonia, its pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment.

Pneumonia

An infection of the pulmonary parenchyma.

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP)

Pneumonia that is acquired outside the hospital.

Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP)

Pneumonia that occurs in a hospital setting after 48 hours of admission.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP)

A type of HAP that occurs in patients who are on mechanical ventilation.

Health care-associated pneumonia (HCAP)

Pneumonia caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens in patients who have significant contact with the healthcare system.

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens

Bacteria that are resistant to multiple antibiotics, making infections difficult to treat.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

A type of bacteria that is resistant to methicillin and other antibiotics.

Aspiration pneumonia

Pneumonia caused by the inhalation of oropharyngeal or gastric contents.

Microaspiration

Small amounts of fluid or secretions that enter the lungs, potentially leading to pneumonia.

Alveolar level

The area of the lungs where gas exchange occurs, and where pneumonia pathogens proliferate.

Lung microbiota

The complex community of bacteria residing in the lungs.

Innate immunity

The body's first line of defense against infection, including physical barriers and immune cells.

Adaptive immunity

The immune response that adapts to specific pathogens and involves specialized immune cells.

Infection risk factors for pneumonia

Includes prior isolation of antibiotic-resistant organisms, hospitalization, and antibiotic treatment.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

A type of bacteria associated with more severe cases of pneumonia, particularly in immunocompromised patients.

Cytokines

Proteins released by immune cells that have specific effects on other cells; involved in inflammation.

Chemokines

Subgroup of cytokines that specifically attract immune cells to sites of infection or injury.

Positive feedback loop

A process in which an initial effect is augmented by the effects it produces, often worsening inflammation during pneumonia.

Septic shock

A severe and often fatal condition arising from sepsis, characterized by extremely low blood pressure and organ failure.

Consolidation

Lung tissue that has filled with fluid or pus, often due to infection, appearing denser on imaging.

Pleural effusion

The accumulation of fluid in the pleural space around the lungs, which can complicate pneumonia.

Pleuritic chest pain

Sharp pain in the chest that is worsened by deep breathing or coughing, often associated with pneumonia.

Differential diagnosis

The process of distinguishing between two or more conditions that share similar signs or symptoms.

Chest radiography

An imaging technique used to visualize the lungs and diagnose conditions such as pneumonia.

Sputum Gram's stain

A laboratory test to evaluate the type of bacteria present in sputum to guide treatment.

Blood culture

A test used to detect the presence of bacteria or fungi in the bloodstream.

Urinary antigen tests

Tests that detect specific pathogens in urine, such as pneumococcus or Legionella.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

A molecular technique used to amplify and detect the DNA or RNA of microorganisms.

C-reactive protein (CRP)

An acute-phase protein that increases in response to inflammation, used as a marker for pneumonia.

Procalcitonin (PCT)

A biomarker that can indicate bacterial infection and inflammation levels.

Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI)

A clinical tool used to predict mortality risk in patients with pneumonia.

CURB-65 criteria

A scoring system used to assess the severity of pneumonia and guide treatment decisions.

Antibiotic stewardship

An approach to prescribing antibiotics to reduce resistance and optimize patient outcomes.

Pulmonary embolism

A blockage of an artery in the lungs, which can present symptoms similar to pneumonia.

Epidemiologic factors

Statistics and characteristics that can help identify potential causes or risk factors for diseases.

Nonproductive cough

A cough that does not produce mucus or phlegm.

Tachycardia

An abnormally rapid heart rate, commonly seen in pneumonia patients.

Hypoxemia

Low levels of oxygen in the blood, which can occur in pneumonia.

Gram-negative bacilli

A group of bacteria that are resistant to certain antibiotics and are often implicated in HAP.

Bronchoalveolar lavage

A procedure used to collect fluid from the lungs to identify infectious agents.

Empyema

A collection of pus in the pleural cavity, often resulting from severe infection.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae

A common atypical bacteria associated with CAP, particularly in younger individuals.

Streptococcus pneumoniae

The most common bacterial cause of community-acquired pneumonia.

Klebsiella pneumoniae

A gram-negative bacterium that can cause pneumonia, particularly in alcoholics and those with chronic lung diseases.