Gamboa, Jay Ivan Milen F.

Tobias, Shariah
BSN2A

PNEUMONIA
Pneumonia is an infection that inflames your lungs' air sacs (alveoli). The air sacs may fill
up with fluid or pus, causing symptoms such as a cough, fever, chills and trouble
breathing.

Pathophysiology

Pneumonia is cause by microorganisms that are related to pneumonia. Some of

the common microorganisms that can initiate this infection are; Streptococcus
pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae,
etc. The common mode of transmission of these bacteria is droplet, and through
inhalation those droplets that contain these microbes can enter the human body,
specifically the lungs. The first part of the respiratory system that will be a breeding site
for these microbes are the nasopharynx and oropharynx. After they took place in there,
they will now go down inside the lungs invading the bronchial tree. The body will try to
fight the microorganisms by promoting inflammation of the airway and the different
parts of the lungs, especially the alveoli. The inflammation can cause pulmonary
edema and exudate formation. Pulmonary edema which is the fluid collection in the
lungs which can cause; wheezing, difficulty of breathing, orthopnea, anxiety and cold,
clammy skin. Furthermore, exudate formation is the filling of the alveoli and the
respiratory bronchioles with different fluids instead of air like; blood, sputum, fibrin, and
bacteria. Because of the exudates in the air sacs the client with pneuomonia can
manifest; chest pain, dyspnea, coughing, and pleurisy or painful breathing. Both
pulmonary edema and exudate formation can cause consolidation of the lungs which
is why the client with pneumonia can experience; easy fatigability, green/bloody
sputum, dry cough, chest pain, tachypnea, fever and abnormal breath sounds.

Management

Management for pneumonia for non-pregnant and pregnant clients is the same
because the usual treatment for pneumonia is safe for pregnancy. Thus, the following
are the management for pneumonia:

 Control your fever with aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs,

such as ibuprofen or naproxen), or acetaminophen.
 Drink plenty of fluids to help loosen secretions and bring up phlegm.
 Do not take cough medicines without first talking to your doctor. Coughing is one
way your body works to get rid of an infection. If your cough is preventing you
from getting the rest you need, ask your doctor about steps you can take to get
relief.
 Drink warm beverages, take steamy baths and use a humidifier to help open
your airways and ease your breathing. Contact your doctor right away if your
breathing gets worse instead of better over time.
 Stay away from smoke to let your lungs heal. This includes smoking, secondhand
smoke and wood smoke. Talk to your doctor if you are a smoker and are having
trouble staying smokefree while you recover. This would be a good time to think
about quitting for good.
 Get lots of rest. You may need to stay in bed for a while. Get as much help as
you can with meal preparation and household chores until you are feeling
stronger. It is important not to overdo daily activities until you are fully recovered.
References:

1. Lemone, P., & Burke, K. (2007). Medical Surgical Nursing: Critical Thinking in Client
Care. p. 1380
2. Tierney, M., McPhee, S., & Papadakis, M. (nd). Current Medical Diagnosis &
Treatment. p. 228-235
3. Hammer, G., & McPhee, S. (nd). Pathophysiology of Disease: An introduction to
Clinical Medicine
Gamboa, Jay Ivan Milen F.
Tobias, Shariah
BSN2A

ASTHMA
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways. It is a condition in which your
airways narrow and swell and produce extra mucus. This can make breathing difficult
and trigger coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. For some people, asthma is a
minor nuisance.

Pathophysiology

Due to some environmental factors and allergens such as smoke, dust, pollen,
cold air/weather and physical exertion, airway inflammation occurs because it is the
immune response of our body to fight the harmful stimulus, and when it occurs, there
will be narrowing of the airway due to the spasm of the smooth muscle around the
bronchioles and there will be an increase secretion of mucus that will cause a narrow
breathing passages which will cause shortness of breath, dyspnea, wheezing, chest
tightness and coughing.

Management

1. Corticosteroids- the most potent and consistently effective anti-inflammatory

agents.
- Inhaled corticosteroids are preferred for the long term control or asthma and are
first line agents for patients with persistent asthma
- Systemic corticosteroids (oral/parenteral) are most effective in achieving prompt
control of asthma during exacerbations or when initiating long term asthma
therapy.
2. Long acting bronchodilators

•mediator inhibitors

•beta-adrenerguc agents

•phosphodiesterase inhibitors

3. Leukotriene modifiers
4. Desensitization
5. Miscellaneous agents

Quick relief medications

1. Beta adrenergic agents

2. Anticholinergic

3. phosphodiesterase inhibitors

4. Glucocorticoids

5. Antimicrobials