You are assigned a patient with pneumonia who is to be walked how do you document

You are assigned a patient with pneumonia who is to be walked how do you document

"Walking pneumonia" is a non-medical term for a mild case of pneumonia. Technically, it's called atypical pneumonia and is caused by bacteria or viruses; often a common bacterium called Mycoplasma pneumonia. Bed rest or hospitalization are usually not needed, and symptoms can be mild enough that you can continue about your daily activities, hence the term "walking."

But don't be fooled. Walking pneumonia can still make you miserable, with cough, fever, chest pain, mild chills, headache, etc. It feels more akin to a bad cold, and despite what the term "walking" implies, taking care of yourself is the best path to recovery.

"If you have the symptoms listed above, even if mild, you should see a doctor as soon as possible," says Dr. Albert Rizzo, senior medical advisor to the American Lung Association. Rizzo notes that walking pneumonia is treatable with antibiotics if your doctor believes bacteria to be the cause. Over-the-counter medications can also be used to relieve symptoms, such as antihistamines for nasal congestion or cough medications to help ease the cough and loosen any mucus (sputum). "In addition, it's important to get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids and take fever-reducing medicine if you have a fever," he adds.

Most people start to feel better within three to five days, but a cough from pneumonia can last weeks or months after treatment. "Recovery time will vary from person to person and will depend on whether you have other medical problems, such as asthma or COPD," says Rizzo. "Too slow of a pace of recovery and certainly any worsening of symptoms is information you should share with your doctor."

Just like typical pneumonia, walking pneumonia spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes. To reduce your risk of infection, follow these tips and learn more about avoiding pneumonia:

  • Get a flu vaccine each year to help prevent getting pneumonia caused by the flu.
  • Talk to your doctor about getting a pneumonia vaccine (there is no vaccine for viral or mycoplasma pneumonia, but certain individuals should get vaccinated for pneumococcal pneumonia).
  • Exercise, eat a well-balanced diet and get adequate sleep.
  • Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with warm, soapy water.
  • Don't smoke.
  • Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze and encourage others to as well to help prevent spread of these infections.

Learn more: 5 questions about pneumonia to ask your doctor.

Digital Edition: Pneumonia 2: Effective nursing assessment and management

05 February, 2008

Part 1 of this two-part unit on pneumonia explored common signs and symptoms of the infection, and explained how nurses can identify those at high risk. This part looks at its nursing assessment and management.

You are assigned a patient with pneumonia who is to be walked how do you document

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This is a quiz that contains NCLEX review questions about pneumonia. Pneumonia develops when the lower respiratory system is infected with a bacteria, virus, or fungus. The infection causes inflammation and congestion of the alevolar sacs which causes hypoxemia.

In the previous NCLEX review series, I explained about other respiratory disorders, so be sure to check those reviews out.

As the nurse, it is important to know how to care for a patient with pneumonia. In addition, the nurse needs to be aware of the causes, risk factors, and management of pneumonia.

The NCLEX exam loves to ask questions about patient education, major signs and symptoms, and the different types of pneumonia.

This quiz will test you on:

  • Types of Pneumonia
  • Signs and Symptoms of Pneumonia
  • Nursing Interventions
  • Medications Used in Pneumonia
  • Patient Education

Pneumonia NCLEX Questions

This quiz will test you on pneumonia in preparation for the NCLEX exam.

  • 1. A patient is presenting with mild symptoms of pneumonia. The doctor diagnoses the patient with "walking pneumonia". From your nursing knowledge, you know this type of pneumonia is caused by what type of infectious agent?*

    • A. Fungi
    • B. Streptococcus pneumoniae
    • C. Mycoplasma pneumoniae
    • D. Influenza

  • 2. A patient was admitted to the intensive care unit 48 hours ago for treatment of a gunshot wound. The patient has recently developed a productive cough and a fever of 104.3 'F. The patient is breathing on their own and doesn't require mechanical ventilation. On assessment, you note coarse crackles in the right lower lobe. A chest x-ray shows infiltrates with consolidation in the right lower lobe. Based on this specific patient scenario, this is known as what type of pneumonia?*

    • A. Aspiration pneumonia
    • B. Ventilator acquired pneumonia
    • C. Hospital-acquired pneumonia
    • D. Community-acquired pneumonia

  • 3. Which of the following patients are MOST at risk for developing pneumonia? Select-all-that-apply:*

    • A. A 53 year old female recovering from abdominal surgery.
    • B. A 69 year old patient who recently received the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.
    • C. A 42 year old male with COPD and is on continuous oxygen via nasal cannula.
    • D. A 8 month old with RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) infection.

  • 4. You're caring for a patient with pneumonia. The patient has just started treatment for pneumonia and is still experiencing hypoxemia. You know that respiratory acidosis is very common with patients with pneumonia. Which arterial blood gas readings below represent respiratory acidosis that is NOT compensated?*

    • A. pH 7.29, PaCO2 55, HCO3 23, PO2 85
    • B. pH 7.48, PaCO2 35, HCO3 22, PO2 85
    • C. pH 7.20, PaCO2 20, HCO3 28, PO2 85
    • D. pH 7.55, PaCO 63, HCO3 19, PO2 85

  • 5. Which of the following are typical signs and symptoms of pneumonia? Select-all-that-apply:*

    • A. Stridor
    • B. Coarse crackles
    • C. Oxygen saturation less than 90%
    • D. Non-productive, nagging cough
    • E. Elevated white blood cells
    • F. Low PCO2 of less than 35
    • G. Tachypnea

  • 6. You're educating a patient with pneumonia on how to deep breathe by using an incentive spirometer. Which of the following is the correct way to use this device?*

    • A. Encourage the patient to use it twice a day.
    • B. The patient exhales into the device rapidly and then coughs.
    • C. The patient inhales slowly from the device until no longer able, and then holds breath for 6 seconds and exhales.
    • D. The patient rapidly inhales 10 times from the device and then exhales for 6 seconds.

  • 7. A 72 year-old male patient who is diagnosed with bilateral lower lobe pneumonia is admitted to your unit. The patient has a history of systolic heart failure and arthritis. On assessment, you note the patient has a respiratory rate of 21, oxygen saturation 93% on 2L nasal cannula, is alert & oriented, and has a productive cough with green/yellowish sputum. Which of the following nursing interventions will you provide to this patient based on your assessment findings and the patient's diagnosis? Select-all-that-apply:*

    • A. Keep head-of-the-bed less than 30 degrees at all times.
    • B. Collect sputum cultures.
    • C. Encourage 3L of fluids a day to keep secretions thin.
    • D. Encourage incentive spirometer usage
    • E. Provide education about receiving the Pneumovax vaccine every 5 years.

  • 8. You’re providing discharge teaching to a patient who was admitted for pneumonia. You are discussing measures the patient can take to prevent pneumonia. Which of the following statements by the patient indicates they did NOT understand your education material?*

    • A. "I’ll use hand sanitizer regularly while I'm out in public."
    • B. "It is important I don’t receive the Pneumovax vaccine since I'm already immune to pneumonia."
    • C. "I will try to avoid large crowds of people during the peak of flu season."
    • D. "It is important I try to quit smoking."

  • 9. A patient is admitted with pneumonia. Sputum cultures show that the patient is infected with a gram positive bacterium. The patient is allergic to Penicillin. Which medication would the patient most likely be prescribed?*

    • A. Macrolide
    • B. Cephalosporins
    • C. Pencillin G
    • D. Tamiflu

  • 10. A 25 year-old female patient with pneumonia is prescribed Doxycycline. What question is important to ask the patient prior to administration of this medication?*

    • A. "Do you take birth control pills?"
    • B. "Are you allergic to Penicillin?"
    • C. "Are you allergic to eggs?"
    • D. "Do you have a history of diabetes?"

  • 11. Select all the medications used to treat pneumonia that are narrow-spectrum?*

    • A. Macrolides
    • B. Tamiflu
    • C. Fluroquinolones
    • D. Penicillins

  • 12. A patient is admitted with rupture of the Achilles tendon. The patient was recently treated with antibiotics for pneumonia. Which of the following medications below can cause this adverse effect?*

    • A. Penicillin
    • B. Fluroquinolones
    • C. Tetracyclines
    • D. Macrolides

  • 13. A patient is being discharged home on Doxycyline for treatment of pneumonia. Which statement by the patient indicates they understood your education material?*

    • A. "I will wear sunscreen when outdoors."
    • B. "I will avoid green leafy vegetables while taking this medication."
    • C. "I will monitor my blood glucose regularly due to the side effects of hypoglycemia."
    • D. "I will take this medication with a full glass of milk."

  • 14. You are about to hang a bag of intravenous Vancomycin for a patient who has severe pneumonia. Which statement by the patient causes you to hold the bag of Vancomycin and notify the doctor immediately?*

    • A. "I'm seeing yellow halos around the light."
    • B. "My mouth tastes like metal."
    • C. "My head hurts."
    • D. "I have this constant ringing in my ears."

(NOTE: When you hit submit, it will refresh this same page. Scroll down to see your results.)

Lecture on Pneumonia

1. A patient is presenting with mild symptoms of pneumonia. The doctor diagnoses the patient with “walking pneumonia”. From your nursing knowledge, you know this type of pneumonia is caused by what type of infectious agent?

A. Fungi

B. Streptococcus pneumoniae

C. Mycoplasma pneumoniae

D. Influenza

2. A patient was admitted to the intensive care unit 48 hours ago for treatment of a gunshot wound. The patient has recently developed a productive cough and a fever of 104.3 ‘F. The patient is breathing on their own and doesn’t require mechanical ventilation. On assessment, you note coarse crackles in the right lower lobe. A chest x-ray shows infiltrates with consolidation in the right lower lobe. Based on this specific patient scenario, this is known as what type of pneumonia?

A. Aspiration pneumonia

B. Ventilator acquired pneumonia

C. Hospital-acquired pneumonia

D. Community-acquired pneumonia

3. Which of the following patients are MOST at risk for developing pneumonia? Select-all-that-apply:

A. A 53 year old female recovering from abdominal surgery.

B. A 69 year old patient who recently received the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.

C. A 42 year old male with COPD and is on continuous oxygen via nasal cannula.

D. A 8 month old with RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) infection.

4. You’re caring for a patient with pneumonia. The patient has just started treatment for pneumonia and is still experiencing hypoxemia. You know that respiratory acidosis is very common with patients with pneumonia. Which arterial blood gases below represent respiratory acidosis that is NOT compensated?

A. pH 7.29, PaCO2 55, HCO3 23, PO2 85

B. pH 7.48, PaCO2 35, HCO3 22, PO2 85

C. pH 7.20, PaCO2 20, HCO3 28, PO2 85

D. pH 7.55, PaCO 63, HCO3 19, PO2 85

5. Which of the following are typical signs and symptoms of pneumonia? Select-all-that-apply:

A. Stridor

B. Coarse crackles

C. Oxygen saturation less than 90%

D. Non-productive, nagging cough

E. Elevated white blood cells

F. Low PCO2 of less than 35

G. Tachypnea

6. You’re educating a patient with pneumonia how to deep breathe by using an incentive spirometer. Which of the following is the correct way to use this device?

A. Encourage the patient to use it twice a day.

B. The patient exhales into the device rapidly and then coughs.

C. The patient inhales slowly from the device until no longer able, and then holds breath for 6 seconds and exhales.

D. The patient rapidly inhales 10 times from the device and then exhales for 6 seconds.

7. A 72 year-old male patient who is diagnosed with bilateral lower lobe pneumonia is admitted to your unit. The patient has a history of systolic heart failure and arthritis. On assessment, you note the patient has a respiratory rate of 21, oxygen saturation 93% on 2L nasal cannula, is alert & oriented, and has a productive cough with green/yellowish sputum. Which of the following nursing interventions will you provide to this patient based on your assessment findings and the patient’s diagnosis? Select-all-that-apply:

A. Keep head-of-the-bed less than 30 degrees at all times.

B. Collect sputum cultures.

C. Encourage 3L of fluids a day to keep secretions thin.

D. Encourage incentive spirometer usage

E. Provide education about receiving the Pneumovax vaccine annually.

8. You’re providing discharge teaching to a patient who was admitted for pneumonia. You are discussing measures the patient can take to prevent pneumonia. Which of the following statements by the patient indicates they did NOT understand your education material?

A. “I’ll use hand sanitizer regularly while I’m out in public.”

B. “It is important I don’t receive the Pneumovax vaccine since I’m already immune to pneumonia.”

C. “I will try to avoid large crowds of people during the peak of flu season.”

D. “It is important I try to quit smoking.”

9. A patient is admitted with pneumonia. Sputum cultures show that the patient is infected with a gram positive bacterium. The patient is allergic to Penicillin. Which medication would the patient most likely be prescribed?

A. Macrolide

B. Cephalosporins

C. Pencillin G

D. Tamiflu

10. A 25 year-old female patient with pneumonia is prescribed Doxycycline. What question is important to ask the patient prior to administration of this medication?

A. “Do you take birth control pills?”

B. “Are you allergic to Penicillin?”

C. “Are you allergic to eggs?”

D. “Do you have a history of diabetes?”

11. Select all the medications used to treat pneumonia that are narrow-spectrum?

A. Macrolides

B. Tamiflu

C. Fluroquinolones

D. Penicillins

12. A patient is admitted with rupture of the Achilles tendon. The patient was recently treated with antibiotics for pneumonia. Which of the following medications below can cause this adverse effect?

A. Penicillin

B. Fluroquinolones

C. Tetracyclines

D. Macrolides

13. A patient is being discharged home on Doxycyline for treatment of pneumonia. Which statement by the patient indicates they understood your education material?

A. “I will wear sunscreen when outdoors.”

B. “I will avoid green leafy vegetables while taking this medication.”

C. “I will monitor my blood glucose regularly due to the side effects of hypoglycemia.”

D. “I will take this medication with a full glass of milk.”

14. You are about to hang a bag of intravenous Vancomycin for a patient who has severe pneumonia. Which statement by the patient causes you to hold the bag of Vancomycin and notify the doctor immediately?

A. “I’m seeing yellow halos around the light.”

B. “My mouth tastes like metal.”

C. “My head hurts.”

D. “I have this constant ringing in my ears.”

Answer Key:
1. C
2. C
3. A, C, D
4. A
5. B, C, E, G
6. C
7. B, D, E
8. B
9. A
10. A
11. A, D
12. B
13. A
14. D

More NCLEX Quizzes

You are assigned a patient with pneumonia who is to be walked how do you document

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What needs to be done for a patient with pneumonia?

Treatment.
Antibiotics. These medicines are used to treat bacterial pneumonia. ... .
Cough medicine. This medicine may be used to calm your cough so that you can rest. ... .
Fever reducers/pain relievers. You may take these as needed for fever and discomfort..

What does it mean to have walking pneumonia?

Walking pneumonia is an informal term for pneumonia that isn't severe enough to require bed rest or hospitalization. You may feel like you have a cold. The symptoms are generally so mild that you don't feel you need to stay home from work or school, so you are out walking around.

Can you work with walking pneumonia?

Walking pneumonia usually is due to bacteria called Mycoplasma pneumoniae. You probably won't have to stay in bed or in the hospital. You might even feel good enough go to work and keep up your routine, just as you might with a cold.