care, treatment and destination for pneumonia

how would you care for someone with pneumonia?

• encourage rest

• reduce anxiety

• encourage fluids

• encourage good hygiene

what medicine may you administer for pneumonia?

• oxygen

• paracetamol

• salbutamol

• antibiotics in hospital

• antiviral medication in hospital if viral in nature

explain oxygen for pneumonia

• administer supplemental oxygen guided by SATS as pneumonia can impair gas exchange (below 95)

• oxygen therapy increases the o2 saturation in the blood and treats hypoxemia

• if SATS do not improve consider V/Q mismatch

• non-humidified oxygen may dry mucus membranes

explain salbutamol for pneumonia

• salbutamol is not directly indicated for pneumonia, but can be used if pt has an expiratory wheeze

• salbutamol is a beta2 adrenoreceptor stimulant drug

• works to relax small and medium airways, relaxing the smooth muscle

• administered by nebuliser additionally moistens the airway

• this treats bronchospasm, allowing normal breathing to resume

what is the adult dose for salbutamol?

• 5mg every 5 mins

• no limit on dose

explain paracetamol for pneumonia

• indicated for high temperature with discomfort (orally) and pain relief

• paracetamol reduces the production of prostaglandins within the CNS, which cause pain and fever

contraindications for paracetamol

• known allergy

• if paracetamol has previously been given in 4 hours/6 hours in renal impairment

• or if max daily dose has been given (2-4g)

how do antibiotics work for pneumonia?

• antibiotics target bacteria responsible for pneumonia, killing it

• this prevents multiplication of bacteria and reduces inflammation in the airways

• antibiotics may be given orally or intravenously or both