pneumo

Pneumonia: Assessment

Pneumonia: An infection in lung tissues causes the alveoli to become swollen and porous (as in the above diagram), so red and white blood cells move from the bloodstream into the alveoli. The alveoli become consolidated (filled), with bacteria, fluid and blood cells, any of which can reduce ventilation and gas exchange.

Assessment findings include:
Inspection	Symptoms of infection: fever, sweating, chills Signs of Pneumonia Productive cough Shortness of breath Increased respiratory rate Increased pulse rate Guarding and lag on expansion on affected side Children with pneumonia may have nasal flaring and/or intercostal and sternal retractions Hypoxemia, cyanosis Confusion
Palpation	Chest expansion decreased on involved side Tactile fremitus is increased
Percussion	Dull over affected area
Auscultation	Breath sounds louder than normal. Bronchophony, egophony, whispered pectoriloquy present Crackles, fine to medium

Instant Feedback:

A patient with pneumonia may be expected to have louder than normal breath sounds, and increased tactile fremitus.

Visit MicroscopyU to view a micrograph of Lobar Pneumonia at 10x Magnification.