Community-Acquired Pneumonia Management

Community-Acquired Pneumonia Management

Community-Acquired Pneumonia Management

Case Study: Respiratory Infection

Patient Information:

• Name: Sarah Smith

• Age: 25

• Gender: Female

• Occupation: Teacher

• Medical History: No significant medical history reported.

Presenting Complaint: Sarah Smith presents to the clinic with complaints of cough, fever, and

difficulty breathing for the past week. She reports a productive cough with yellowish-green

sputum and chest tightness.

Physical Examination Findings:

• Vital Signs: BP 110/70 mmHg, HR 90 bpm, RR 20 breaths/min, Temp 101.2°F

• General: Alert and oriented, appears ill

• Respiratory: Decreased breath sounds and crackles heard bilaterally on auscultation

• Cardiovascular: Regular rhythm, no murmurs or abnormal sounds

• Abdomen: Soft, non-tender, no organomegaly

• Neurological: Intact cranial nerves, normal motor and sensory functions

Laboratory Investigations:

• Complete Blood Count (CBC): Elevated white blood cell count (WBC) with left shift

• Chest X-ray: Infiltrates in bilateral lower lung fields consistent with pneumonia

•

Diagnosis: Sarah Smith is diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia based on her clinical

presentation, physical examination findings, and radiological evidence.

Questions for Students:

1. What are the common signs and symptoms of community-acquired pneumonia?

2. Describe the typical findings on physical examination and chest X-ray in patients with

pneumonia.

3. What are the most common pathogens causing community-acquired pneumonia, and

how would you choose empirical antibiotic therapy in this patient?

4. Discuss the management of community-acquired pneumonia, including non-

pharmacological measures and potential complications to monitor for.

Community-Acquired Pneumonia Management

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Community-Acquired Pneumonia Management

1. Common Signs and Symptoms of Community-Acquired Pneumonia

Core symptoms include:

  • Fever (often >100.4°F / 38°C)

  • Cough (often productive with yellow/green sputum)

  • Dyspnea (shortness of breath or difficulty breathing)

  • Chest pain (pleuritic—sharp, worse with deep breaths or cough)

  • Fatigue and malaise

  • Sweating and chills

  • Tachypnea (elevated respiratory rate)

  • Tachycardia

  • In severe cases: confusion, especially in older adults

Sarah’s symptoms (productive cough, fever, chest tightness, shortness of breath) are consistent with this clinical picture.

2. Typical Findings on Physical Examination and Chest X-ray in Pneumonia

Physical Examination Findings:

  • Fever and signs of systemic illness (e.g., appearing ill)

  • Crackles/rales on auscultation (from alveolar fluid)

  • Dullness to percussion (if consolidation is present)

  • Bronchial breath sounds

  • Decreased breath sounds (due to consolidation or effusion)

  • Egophony or whispered pectoriloquy (enhanced vocal resonance)

Chest X-ray Findings:

  • Localized or diffuse infiltrates (depending on lobar vs bronchopneumonia)

  • Consolidation, especially in lower lobes

  • May see air bronchograms in affected areas

  • In Sarah’s case: bilateral lower lobe infiltrates → consistent with typical pneumonia pattern

3. Most Common Pathogens and Empirical Antibiotic Therapy

Most common pathogens in..

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