Topic
Pneumonia: Case Study
Instructions
Write a case study focusing on Pneumonia
Answer Preview
Pneumonia can be grossly classified into two broad categories as either primary or secondary pneumonia. Primary pneumonia has no pre-existing conditions that may predispose to the status while secondary pneumonia has a variety of underlying causes. Some of the underlying conditions associated with pneumonia include bronchial asthma, cystic fibrosis, heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Upper respiratory tract infections associated with viruses and such conditions as tumors may be other causes of secondary pneumonia. Pneumonia can also be classified as either community acquired or hospital acquired (nosocomial). The pathogens associated with community-acquired pneumonia are classified into typical and atypical pneumonia. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Hemophilus influenza are the leading causes of typical pneumonia. Mycoplasma pneumonia, Legionella pnemophila, and Coxiella burnetii are the common causes of atypical pneumonia (Gamache, 2017). Hospital-acquired pneumonia is associated with gram-negative pathogens with Pseudomonas aeruginosa being the commonest. Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumonia are gram-positive pathogens that are associated with nosocomial pneumonia. Fungal and viral pathogens play a role in pneumonia in immune-compromised patients.
Word Count: 1500