Key Concepts
Overview
Pneumonia is an acute infection of the pulmonary parenchyma (alveoli and interstitium), causing inflammation and impaired gas exchange. It is a leading cause of infection-related morbidity and mortality in Canada, particularly in older adults, immunocompromised patients, and those with underlying pulmonary disease. Classification by acquisition setting: - Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP): develops outside of a healthcare facility; most common pathogens: S. pneumoniae (most common), H. influenzae, atypical organisms (Mycoplasma, Chlamydophila, Legionella) - Hospital-acquired (nosocomial) pneumonia (HAP): develops ≥ 48h after hospital admission; higher risk of drug-resistant organisms (MRSA, P. aeruginosa) - Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP): HAP occurring ≥ 48h after intubation - Aspiration pneumonia: inhalation of oropharyngeal or gastric contents; risk factors: altered consciousness, dysphagia, nasogastric tube, supine positioning For NCLEX-RN: Know nursing interventions for hypoxia, antibiotic principles, and aspiration prevention. Recognize the patient at risk for deterioration. On the exam, writers often pair stable-sounding options with unstable data—notice the mismatch before you commit. If the stem names a license or role, reread that line; scope errors are classic trap answers even when the clinical topic is familiar. Run a 60-second scan:...