1.What physiological age-related changes contribute to the elderly like Mr. Cash's higher
incidence of pneumonia?
Decreased respiratory muscle strength, stiffer chest wall with reduced compliance.
Diminished ciliary & macrophage activity, drier mucus membranes. Decreased
cough reflex also as we age our immune system weakens.
2. What type of cough does Mr. White have and how do you know? (productive, or nonproductive)
Mr. White complaints of thick mucus that he Is unable to cough up according to the
American lung association, if a cough brings up phlegm or mucus it is called a
productive cough. A cough that does not produce or expel mucus is called a dry or
nonproductive cough. Mr. White is description of his cough indicates it is
nonproductive because he is not able to cough it up. (American Lung Lung
association, n.d.)
3.What may be helpful in thinning his mucous secretions?
Expectorants target is to make coughing up mucus easier; they do not actually stop
coughing which is important because a productive cough should not be suppressed
because it is the body's way of removing excess mucus, foreign particles, or
microorganisms from the airways.
4.Identify and describe 5 complications of pneumonia.
1. Sepsis bacteremia a possibly deadly infection that invade the bloodstream
and can infect the body’s organs.
2. Pleurisy and empyema: Pleurisy is when the covering of the
lungs(pleura)becomes inflamed. Empyema is when fluids that caused the
inflammation become infected.
3. Lung abscess is a pus-filled cavity that develops in the infected lung
area(cyst)
4. Acute Respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) the lungs become severely
injured due to pneumonia, respiratory failure can occur, and treatment can
include the use of a mechanical ventilator and supplement oxygen.
5. Pleural Effusion: referred as ‘’water on the lungs’’ which is the built-up of
excess fluid between the layer of the pleura outside the lungs(pleura thin
membrane that line the lungs and the inside of the chest cavity it lubricates
and facilitates breathing.
Works Cited
American Lung Lung association. (n.d.). Retrieved from Lung Association: www.lung.org
Youtube. (n.d.). Retrieved from Pneumonia cause and symptoms :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAQp2Zuqevc
Youtube. (n.d.). Retrieved from Performin nasotracheal suctioning : https://youtu.be/qkCcegGqO4Y