Word parts
What it means
Infection of the lung tissue, caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi, or by breathing food, liquid or vomit into the lungs (aspiration pneumonia). The tiny air sacs (alveolusal-VEE-uh-lus (plural alveoli, al-VEE-uh-ly)One of the tiny air sacs at the ends of the smallest airways in the lungs.Full entry ) fill with fluid, so less oxygen gets into the blood. Typical signs are cough, often with colored sputum, fever, chills, fast breathing, chest pain on breathing in, and crackles in the lungs; older adults may show only new confusion.
For the nurse
Monitor oxygen saturation, breathing rate and effort, temperature and lung sounds. Raise the head of the bed, help the client cough and deep breathe or use an incentive spirometer, and get sputum cultures before the first antibiotic dose when ordered. Teach about pneumococcal and influenzain-floo-EN-zuhAn infection of the nose, throat and lungs caused by influenza viruses; the flu.Full entry vaccines.
In a chart
"Crackles right lower lobe, temp 38.9 °C (102 °F), SpO2 90% on room air; chest x-ray shows right lower lobe pneumonia."
At a glance
| Spanish | neumonía |
|---|---|
| Also written | pneumonias |
Related terms
aspiration
Breathing food, liquid, saliva or stomach contents into the airway and lungs; also, drawing fluid out with suction or a needle.
sepsis
A severe whole-body response to an infection that damages the body's own organs.
alveolus
One of the tiny air sacs at the ends of the smallest airways in the lungs.
influenza
An infection of the nose, throat and lungs caused by influenza viruses; the flu.