Introduction

We, Group A of the 3rd year students having been rotated at Manila Medical Center’s General

Nursing Unit at its Main Building’s 7th floor. We were able to observe number of patients with different

conditions, but we have been more exposed with patients who have problems with their nutrition and

metabolism which is our focus for our rotation as it is one of our topics for our Nursing Care

Management 103. There we have met our patient who had caught our attention. We have chosen the

patient’s condition to have it for our case study believing that it will enhance our knowledge about

nutrition and metabolism.

The following objectives are set by the students:

A. To define what is Aspiration Pneumonia

B. To identify its causes and risk factors

C. To name the disease’s manifestations

D. To enumerate the diagnostic and laboratory procedures for the disease

E. To name the different treatment and management for the condition

F. To identify ways on how to avoid and prevent Aspiration Pneumonia

Pneumonia as defined by a breathing condition in which there is swelling or an infection

of the lungs or large airways which is commonly brought about by microbial agents. While on

the other hand, Aspiration Pneumonia is Pneumonia which is caused by food, saliva, liquids, or

vomit that is breathed into the lungs or airways leading to the lungs.

Causes of Aspiration Pneumonia may be one of the following: problems with

swallowing, poor gag reflex which may due to old age and less of consciousness and alertness.

You may suggest an individual to call or visit the hospital if he/she is experiencing bluish

discoloration of the skin, chest pain, coughing out of foul smelling, greenish dark phlegm or

phlegm with pus or blood, because these are just some of the signs that a person is having

aspiration pneumonia. Other signs are fatigue, fever, and shortness of breath, wheezing, breath

odor and excessive sweating.

On physical examination, a patient may reveal crackling sounds in the lungs, decreased

oxygen, rapid pulse rate or heart rate, and decreased mental awareness.

Other than the physical exam, the following tests may help diagnose the condition:

Arterial Blood Gas, Blood Culture, Bronchoscopy, Chest X-ray, Complete Blood Count, CT Scan

of the chest, sputum culture and swallowing test.

Some people may need to be hospitalized. Treatment depends on how severe the

pneumonia is. Sometimes a ventilator (breathing machine) is needed to support breathing.

Patient will likely receive antibiotics. He/she may need to have his/her swallowing function

tested. Persons who have trouble swallowing may need to use other feeding methods to

reduce the risk of aspiration.

Review of Related Literature

Classically, pneumonia has been categorized as being bacterial or typical, atypical,

anaerobic/cavitary, or opportunistic. Another classification scheme categorizes pneumonia as

community-acquired pneumonia, hospital acquired pneumonia, pneumonia in the

immunocomprized host, and aspiration pneumonia. “Aspiration Pneumonia refers to the

pulmonary consequences resulting from entry of endogenous and exogenous substances into

the lower airway.”1 Bacteria that normally reside in the upper airway causes aspiration

pneumonia when these bacteria are being aspired to the lower airway and there they cause

bacterial infection. Other than bacteria, gastric contents, exogenous chemical contents and

irritating gases may also be aspired. Since these materials are not residents of the lower airway,

they are treated as foreign bodies, causing inflammation and bacterial growth, resulting to

pneumonia, hence impairing the lung function.

Common strains of bacteria that causes pneumonia are S. Pnuemoniae, H. Influenza and

S. Aureus.

“Aspiration pneumonia is often caused by incompetent swallowing mechanism”2 which

may be due to decreased neurological function which includes “anesthesia, aging, sedatives,

coma, reduced levels of alertness”3. Other causes may be “esophageal disorders, ingesting large

amounts of alcohol and dental problems”4.

The Mayo Clinic has identified risk factors for Aspiration Pneumonia. These includes:

Infants and children younger than 2 years and people older than age 65. They said “Pneumonia

can affect anyone. But the two age groups at the highest risk”5 They also cited other risk factors

like certain chronic disease, weakened immune system, smoking and being placed in a

ventilator.

2. En.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspiration_pneumonia

3-4. www.healthline.com/health/aspiration-pneumonia#Overview1

5. www.mayoclinic.org/disease-conditions/pneumonia/basics/risk-factors/con-20020032