Question

Case Study, Chapter 12, Infection Barbara Smith, a 77-year-old female client with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer, is admitted to the hospital with bilateral pneumonia in the lower lobes. She completed a round of chemotherapy 1 week ago. She stated she watches her two grandchildren ages 5 and 7 years in her home before and after school. She stated both had recently had some sort of upper respiratory infection with fever, coughing, and sneezing. She attends a large church regularly that has a meet and greets time when everyone shakes hands with each other. She reported several church members have been sick with the flu recently. The nurse is concerned when reviewing the electronic medical record that the client has no records of receiving immunizations for pneumococcal pneumonia or influenza. All other immunizations are up-to-date. Learning Objective 4) a. What are the factors that increase the client's susceptibility to acquire the pneumonia infection? b. What are ways to decrease risks for acquiring future infections?

Answer 1

a. Risk factors increase susceptibility of pneumonia infection in this client.

                    * Age

                          Age between less than 5 and older then 65 are more susceptible to pneumonia.

                   * COPD

                         Chronic lung condition like Copd weaken respiratory system and immune system

                         and increase the risk of developing pneumonia.

                   * Contact with infected person.

                          Pneumonia is caused by a virus or bacteria both are contagious so infection can get

                          from infected preson.

b. Practices to decrease risk of acquiring future infections.

                        * Avoid close contact with people who infected with pneumonia.

                        * Take immunization to prevent pneumococcal pneumonia.

                        * Maintain personal and environmental hygiene to prevent occurance

                          of infection.

                        * Avoid bad habits like smoking which badly affect the health of lungs

                          and lead to infections.

                        * Maintain a healthy dietry pattern including fruits and vegetables to

                          keep physical health to control or avoid infections.