Prognosis in Patients With Community-Acquired Pneumonia Assignment
Pharm WK 10 Discussion Response Post
Hi, I appreciate your detailed discussion on the 68-year-old who was admitted to the medical-surgical unit for community-acquired pneumonia. Community-based pneumonia is indeed associated with microorganisms such as streptococcus pneumonia, haemophilus influenzae, staphylococcus aureus, mycoplasma pneumoniae, chlamydia pneumoniae, moraxellacatarrhalis legionella pneumophila, Influenza, Rhinovirus, and Coronavirus (Wang et al., 2021). It is important to be careful when handling these microorganisms and their symptoms in order to determine the best treatment. Enough ventilation and oxygen supplement is, for real, the first step in handling this condition. Close monitoring of respiratory discomfort is important, considering the history of COPD. However, PRN orders for Oxygen 2L via nasal cannula for respiratory discomfort will be necessary. Indeed, this patient will also need an order for a spirometer, with instructions to utilize it at least every hour. Antibiotics and supportive therapy are crucial here to address symptoms the patient may experience, such as respiratory issues and nausea/vomiting. Both Azithromycin and Ceftriaxone are effective alternatives for Penicillin allergy patients. Azithromycin classifies as a macrolide while Ceftriaxone classifies as a cephalosporin, a broad-spectrum antibiotic categorized as a third-generation drug, making it highly effective against bacteria with good distribution, as you have discussed in this evaluation (Wang et al., 2021). Prognosis in Patients With Community-Acquired Pneumonia Assignment
I do agree with you that a short-term, tapered dose of IV steroid treatment is recommended for respiratory inflammation; studies show that administering steroids decreases mortality rates and decreases hospital length of stay (Liu et al., 2021). Steroids induce hyperglycemia; one should take careful consideration regarding the patient’s history of diabetes, blood sugar checks should be monitored closely while on steroids if the protocol is not already in place for diabetic management, along with the implementation of a sliding scale for Humalog to maintain therapeutic blood sugar levels. Antibiotic therapy is likely the cause for this patient experiencing nausea and vomiting; recommendations for ondansetron (Zofran) IV 8MG Q8 hours as needed, preferably thirty minutes prior to the administration of IV antibiotics. Indeed, gentle hydration would benefit the patient, and continuous normal saline at 50 ML/HR until the patient can tolerate meals (Liu et al., 2021).
To add to the current drugs the patient is undertaking, her pathophysiology can also be managed using drugs like Levofloxacin, a fluoroquinolone antibiotic used to treat pneumonia associated with susceptible microorganisms (Wang et al., 2021). This drug effectively manages Haemophilus influenza and Streptococcus pneumoniae (Wang et al., 2021). It can also be used as an alternative for allergies associated with penicillin. Prognosis in Patients With Community-Acquired Pneumonia Assignment
References
Liu, H. Y., Xiang, H. X., Xiang, Y., Xu, Z., Feng, C. M., Fei, J., … & Zhao, H. (2021). The associations of serum S100A9 with the severity and prognosis in patients with community-acquired pneumonia: a prospective cohort study. BMC Infectious Diseases, 21, 1-9.
Wang, J. L., Chen, X., Xu, Y., Chen, Y. X., Wang, J., Liu, Y. L., … & Fu, L. (2021). The associations of serum IL-37 with the severity and prognosis in patients with community-acquired pneumonia: a retrospective cohort study. Frontiers in Immunology, 12, 636896. Prognosis in Patients With Community-Acquired Pneumonia Assignment