Transcript Cengage PowerPoint Template

Nursing Assistant Monthly
Pneumonia in older adults
July 2012
Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
What is pneumonia?
 Pneumonia is an infection and/or inflammation of the deep
tissues of the lung
 It can be caused by
– Bacteria, viruses, fungi, exposure to toxic chemicals
– Aspiration pneumonia is usually due to oral bacteria entering the
lungs
July 2012
Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
Pneumonia in older adults
How does pneumonia affect the body?
Pneumonia interferes with exchange of gases:
 Taking in oxygen
 Removal of carbon dioxide from the body
July 2012
Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
Pneumonia in older adults
Types of pneumonia
One way to categorize pneumonia is by the setting where it
occurs:
 Community-acquired pneumonia: usually but not always
milder disease
 Hospital-acquired pneumonia: often, more resistant
organisms
 Nursing home-acquired pneumonia: may involve resistant
organisms, especially if recently hospitalized
July 2012
Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
Pneumonia in older adults
Signs and symptoms of pneumonia
in older adults
 Often the first sign is a change in cognitive status or
behavior
 Cough
 Weakness, fatigue
 Shortness of breath
 Achy chest
 Fever, chills (this may not occur in older adults)
July 2012
Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
Pneumonia in older adults
Preventing aspiration pneumonia
Aspiration pneumonia is the most common type in nursing
home settings
 Help to prevent it by:
– Encouraging residents to move, ambulate, and change position
– Turning bedbound residents frequently – at least every 2 hours
• helps to expand all areas of the lung
– Providing enough fluids, according to care plan
– Good oral care
July 2012
Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
Pneumonia in older adults
Why is oral care important?
 Oral care reduces the number of bacteria in the mouth
 That is why residents without teeth still need oral care!
– Always wear a fresh pair of disposable gloves
– Use a soft bristled brush
– Explain what you are doing
– If a resident resists oral care, report this to the nurse
– Observe and report the presence of white patches or
anything unusual
July 2012
Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
Pneumonia in older adults
Aspiration pneumonia & mealtime
 Positioning
– Have residents sit upright in a chair (wheelchair is not best)
– If bedbound, sit the person as upright as possible
 Watch for and report signs of swallow difficulty
– Facial expressions, grimacing, frowning when swallowing
– Coughing, choking
 Some residents are “silent aspirators”
– They may not seem to choke, but are silently aspirating secretions
July 2012
Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
Pneumonia in older adults
“Take-home” points
You are the “eyes and ears” of the nurses!
 Aspiration is not always easy to detect
 Pay close attention to residents’ swallowing ability during meals
 Understand the health benefits of oral care
 Provide adequate fluids
 Physical activity helps prevent pneumonia by moving secretions
 Report any change in cognitive status, level of alertness, or behavior to
the nurse
July 2012
Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
Pneumonia in older adults