Pneumonia is an infection of one or both lungs which is usually caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Prior to the discovery of antibiotics, one-third of all people who developed pneumonia subsequently died from the infection. Currently, over 3 million people develop pneumonia each year in the United States. Over a half a million of these people are admitted to a hospital for treatment. Although most of these people recover, approximately 5% will die from pneumonia. Pneumonia is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.
Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms vary depending on the age of the child and the cause of the pneumonia, but common ones include:
Nanda Nursing Diagnosis for Pneumonia
1. Activity Intolerance related to insufficiency of oxygen for everyday activities.
2. Ineffective airway clearance related to the formation of edema.
3. Impaired Gas Exchange related to impaired oxygen delivery.
4. Risk for Infection related to inadequate primary defenses.
Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms vary depending on the age of the child and the cause of the pneumonia, but common ones include:
- fever
- chills
- cough
- nasal congestion
- unusually rapid breathing (in some cases, this is the only symptom)
- breathing with grunting or wheezing sounds
- labored breathing that makes the rib muscles retract (when muscles under the ribcage or between ribs draw inward with each breath) and causes nasal flaring
- vomiting
- chest pain
- abdominal pain
- decreased activity
- loss of appetite (in older kids) or poor feeding (in infants), which may lead to dehydration
- in extreme cases, bluish or gray color of the lips and fingernails
Nanda Nursing Diagnosis for Pneumonia
1. Activity Intolerance related to insufficiency of oxygen for everyday activities.
2. Ineffective airway clearance related to the formation of edema.
3. Impaired Gas Exchange related to impaired oxygen delivery.
4. Risk for Infection related to inadequate primary defenses.
